Pro Football Rumors
Brandon Graham made Eagles history this year, becoming the first player in franchise history to suit up for a 15th season with the franchise. The 36-year-old edge rusher made an impact in Sunday night’s game, but it is now expected to be his last this season.
Following the game, Graham said (via ESPN.com’s Tim McManus) he suffered a triceps tear. This injury regularly shelves players for extended periods, and while it may be slightly premature to deem Graham done for the season, he went as far as to proclaim his campaign will end in Week 12.
While this injury comes for an Eagles team that just lost Bryce Huff for a period due to a wrist injury. Huff landed on IR this week but is expected back. For the time being, an Eagles team flush with D-end investments will be shorthanded. As for Graham, it is fair to speculate on whether Sunday night will be his NFL finale. The Eagles have continued to sign the 2010 first-round pick to one-year contracts, and he put off retirement to play a 15th season this year. Graham said this offseason he would retire after the 2024 season, though he did not confirm that when asked postgame.
Graham left the Eagles’ Week 12 win over the Rams during the fourth quarter. He sacked Matthew Stafford once and compiled three QB hits in Philadelphia’s convincing road victory. If Graham’s season is over, he finishes with 3.5 sacks and seven QB hits in 11 games. The Eagles have Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith still healthy on the edge, and the team drafted Jalyx Hunt in Round 3 this year. The Eagles regularly pour premium assets into their lines, but the 9-2 team is now down two regulars.
The Eagles re-upped Graham on a one-year, $4MM deal in March. This came when the club’s “Core Four” split via the retirements of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. Graham and Lane Johnson remain, though it has been expected the quartet would lose another member after this season. Steve Smith famously put off retirement because he suffered an injury in what was to be his exit year (2015), but it remains to be seen how Graham will handle his own late-career setback.
More to come.
