Brandon Graham vows to lead Eagles even after season-ending injury – NBC10 Philadelphia

On November 25, 2024By Pranco

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — There will likely be a few tears in the coming days.

But there was no time for that on Sunday evening.

When Brandon Graham announced after the Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Rams at SoFi Stadium that his season was over after a torn triceps, he spoke with the same positivity that made him a legend in Philadelphia.

There was no self-pity. No bitterness. None of that.

Just an all-time Eagle, who stood tall and was a true leader right after he found out his season – and possibly career – was over.

“All I know is they’re not done with me yet,” Graham said. “I’m going to make sure I go out there and be the best leader I can be, like I always do, keep bringing the energy and letting people know how happy they are that I’m gone.”

Yes, shortly after Graham found out his season was over, he was already planning a game on how he could continue his trash-talking game.

Graham, 36, suffered a torn triceps during the fourth quarter Sunday night when he was chipped by a Rams running back. Graham had already suffered from tendonitis in his elbow, but this time it lingered a little longer and he knew something was wrong.

After being checked out by a trainer on the sideline, Graham started to head inside when quarterback Jalen Hurts gave him a long hug as the two prayed together. Several other teammates lined up to shake Graham’s hand as he walked off the field for what might have been his last time as an NFL player.

But after the news, Graham was as positive as ever.

“I make sure I have the best attitude I can have,” Graham said. ‘I’m sure I’ll cry about it. But it won’t be long and then I’ll move on to ‘How can I help my team from the sidelines?’ That’s the biggest thing I can do.”

Although Graham entertained the thought of returning for a 16th season, he initially planned for this to be his 15th and final season as an NFL player. As of Sunday night, he wasn’t sure what the future held.

“I don’t want to go out like that, but if it points to that, then we’ll see,” Graham said. “I don’t know how the team will feel at that moment. But I know for me that I don’t want to go out like this. I definitely want to be able to finish a whole season before I’m done. But if that’s not in the cards, I’m also happy with where I am now. I’m just not there yet. I’m like, let’s finish this and see how the rehab goes, and then we’ll go from there.

Hurts has always appreciated Graham and the two shared a long moment together on the sideline on Sunday after the severity of the injury was realized.

“That was definitely a shame, for the guy first and the teammate second,” Hurts said. “He’s a guy who has given himself to this franchise, always tried to make it better and really just teach the younger guys coming in. You have to think with a guy as deep as he is in his tenure, it’s bigger than the game and why he’s still playing. His pursuit has been to be his best self, but also really be the best teammate he can be and serve in any way he can.”

Graham, who turns 37 in April, wasn’t just on a leisurely farewell tour this season. He played extremely well. And he continued that on Sunday evening. Before the injury against the Rams, Graham had 2 tackles, 1 sack, 3 QB hits, 2 TFLs and 1 pass breakup.

With his dismissal on Sunday, Graham moved into third place on the Eagles’ all-time sack list, behind only Reggie White and Trent Cole.

“For me, I’m devastated for him because he’s probably one of the best leaders I’ve ever had,” said Lane Johnson, who has been Graham’s teammate for 12 seasons. “Not only how he plays, but also how he guides the young boys on and off the field. He’s like a father figure to a lot of these guys and a guy who I think his story just screams perseverance and resilience with everything he’s overcome. And especially the year he is having. People thought the farewell tour was just us tipping our hats to him, but hey, this damn man can play football and he can play at a really high level.

‘I hurt for him. I love him. He really played a great game today. He’s a very dynamic guy. He’s in a positive spirit, man, and he’ll be there with us. At the end of the day, it’s hard to replace a guy like that.”

The Eagles were already thin at edge rusher coming into this game, as Bryce Huff had wrist surgery on Thursday and will miss at least three more games before he is eligible to return from IR. Without Huff and Graham, the Eagles are down to three edge rushers on their 53-man roster: Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.

Graham won’t be on the field for the rest of the season, but he isn’t going anywhere. On Sunday, Graham vowed to be there for his teammates to lead and bring the same energy he always brings.

“I expect nothing less from him,” Jordan Davis said. “He will be there, he will do everything he can to be there every step of the way, wherever he is, wherever we are. I know BG will be there. It’s a shame it happened. Who knows the next time he’s going to play, if this is the last time he’s going to play, which is crazy to think about because he’s already in year 15. I hope this isn’t the last time he plays , but sometimes we may have to deal with the fact that it could be so.

“But day by day we know he will be there, that he will drop gems like he always does. He will be there every step of the way, so I don’t worry that his presence won’t be felt in the defense because he will always be there, his presence will always be felt. The mere fact that he is not on the field with us is a great shame. It hurts a little. We hate to see our brother go out like this.”

This season marks Graham’s sixth consecutive time as captain of the Eagles. He is the longest-tenured athlete in Philadelphia, has played more games in an Eagles uniform than anyone and is the only player in franchise history to play 15 seasons with the Birds.

He is an all-time Eagle.

After entering the locker room Sunday night, Graham called his wife and told her the news and his children started crying. Graham himself had no tears in the winning locker room. Just a lot of positivity, the promise to help his teammates and his unmistakable smile, even in a difficult moment.

“There’s no point in crying about it,” Graham said. “I put everything into it. It hurts, but I’m telling you, I’ll be better for it.