Brandon Graham: “I’m out for the year”

The Eagles veteran DE is done for the year after he tore his triceps.

Halfway through the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Rams, 15-year veteran Brandon Graham was evaluated on the sideline by the training staff before heading into the locker room. The DE got some encouraging words from his teammates before leaving the field, and Jalen Hurts even spent some time offering support.

After the game, however, BG announced that he tore his triceps and is out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.

This is really unfortunate for a multitude of reasons, not least of which is the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team. This year was supposed to be his farewell tour ahead of retirement, but going out in Week 12 wasn’t in the plan. Not only is it cutting things short ceremoniously, but Graham was still getting a good number of snaps each week and was performing at an incredibly high level.

Losing Graham’s energy on the field isn’t something to take lightly, and the loss will be felt among the already light edge rusher rotation. The team had to put Bryce Huff on IR earlier in the week, and Josh Sweat came off the field to tend to a foot injury in the second half against the Rams. That leaves rookie Jalyx Hunt, who has earned some additional opportunities, and Nolan Smith, who has taken a big step this season.

It’s not that there’s a lack of talent with Graham out, the concern is that this group plays lights out every single play because they are rotating guys and keeping them fresh, and that becomes increasingly difficult with fewer options. Heading down the stretch, the depth at edge rusher will be something that needs addressed.

Graham’s injury also just really sucks for one of the good guys. One of the guys who shows up every day, does the work, and contributes in any number of ways to this team on and off the field. BG is one of the best, and he should hang up his cleats on his own terms, not because an injury forced his hand.