It was a great Sunday night with the Eagles’ seventh straight win, a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams that featured Saquon Barkley’s record-breaking night — until news broke that defensive end, team captain and longest-tenured Bird Brandon Graham is likely out for the rest of the season with a torn triceps (it’s not confirmed by the team yet).
From @GMFB: The #Eagles lost veteran leader Brandon Graham for the season, while the #Raiders lost Gardner Minshew for the season. Meanwhile, #Giants QB Daniel Jones is slated to clear waivers today. pic.twitter.com/4MMBrYGJyd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 25, 2024
A 2010 draft pick, his 15 seasons with the Eagles is best highlighted — and memorialized by many — by the strip sack of Tom Brady to help clinch the team’s first Super Bowl title in 2017 (LII). Graham had a sack Sunday that moved into third all-time in sacks for the Eagles on Sunday with 76.5, behind only Trent Cole and Reggie White. He had been having one of his best seasons ever.
Beyond his play, Graham has been a team captain the past six seasons and a leader who mentored others for longer than that. His reaction in the clubhouse, where he was the one sharing that his season was over, is as good an explanation as any for why he is special.
“I’m just trying to process everything right now,” he said. “I ain’t got that far. But, I’m going to keep my spirits up, keep enjoying it, because we’ve got a special team right now.
“At the end of the day, if I had to go out like this, I love the way I gave it everything out there on the field. All I know is they ain’t done with me yet. I’m going to make sure I go out there and be the best leader I can be, like I always do.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts gave his reaction to the bad news after the game (H/T Eliot Shorr-Parks).
Jalen Hurts took a few minutes on the sideline tonight to talk to Brandon Graham before he went into the locker room
He says his message was that he was there for Brandon and he knows he’ll come back better and stronger as a person and a player (if he wants to keep playing) pic.twitter.com/k99exWO762
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) November 25, 2024
NFL Productions posted its feature interview on Graham this morning in tribute.
Forever a fan favorite.
Brandon Graham will always embody the hardworking spirit of Philly 💚 @eagles pic.twitter.com/JQA2LImKNU
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 25, 2024
Graham, 36, said at the start of the season that this will be his last, but seemed to have been rethinking that as he and the team put up impressive performances this year. Obviously, the thought that Graham’s career would end like this had many on the internet feeling some mix of dejection, nostalgia, and hope.
We may have just unknowingly watched Brandon Graham play his final snaps in an Eagles uniform. pic.twitter.com/V43M43QdTM
— Philadelphia Eagles Central (@pheaglescentral) November 25, 2024
If this is the last sack of Brandon Graham’s career, it is truly difficult to put into words how fortunate we are to have had him as an Eagle
From labeled a bust early on, to a no doubt surefire Eagles jersey retired hall of famer
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) November 25, 2024
Heal up 55 @brandongraham55 🙏
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) November 25, 2024
I’ve covered Brandon Graham for 13 years, but not sure if I’ve ever seen a player have his perspective after a devastating injury.
“I can’t tell people to be a certain way, and then when it’s my turn, to be like that,” Graham said. “I tell guys all the time when they go out,… https://t.co/QqOS6Rn1Hh
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 25, 2024
When the Eagles carry Brandon Graham’s jersey out of the tunnel in New Orleans in a few months 🥺 pic.twitter.com/vfIGX4ZPwq
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) November 25, 2024
