Philadelphia Eagles icon Brandon Graham suffered what looked like a season-ending injury in the last minutes of Sunday's 37-20 win victory over the Los Angeles Rams, and fans are already mourning what may be the final moments of the defensive end's long career.
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In the fourth quarter of the Week 12 game, Graham was forced to leave the game after taking an elbow chip from running back Kyren Williams while rushing the left edge on a pass play.
At first, Graham believed it was simply a flare-up of the elbow tendinitis he'd been dealing with. However, as trainers examined him on the sideline, he quickly sensed something was more seriously wrong.
1x Super Bowl Champ
76.5 Sacks (3rd all time for PHL)
1x Pro Bowler
6x Team Captain
205 Games Played (15 Years)
Longest tenured Eagle
Irreplaceable.
If this was it, thank you for everything Brandon Graham. pic.twitter.com/kU7KUNziIf
Fans were already concerned when the DE appeared to spend an unusual amount of time speaking with quarterback Jalen Hurts before heading to the locker room. It has now been confirmed that he suffered a torn tricep and will be out for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Graham was emotional in the post-game, saying, "I hated it to go like this, but at the end of the day I don't have any regrets. I put it all in today like I do every week. We'll go from here."
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
pic.twitter.com/onloHv4CMl
The player's reaction (and the subsequent fan response) was undoubtedly intensified because he previously stated that he intended this season to be his last, saying in July, "Last first day as a player. I don't know what the future holds with the organization. It's my last year, so just trying to soak it all in, trying to enjoy every day."
Although he has reportedly since been reconsidering his retirement, an injury like this may have shuttered any plans to return for a 16th season. Fans and commentators are already praising his long career over social media under the assumption that the final moments of Week 12 were his last as an Eagle.
Graham was drafted 13th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2010 NFL Draft from the University of Michigan and has since become the franchise's longest-tenured player. A key figure in the team's defense, he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2016 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020. Graham led the Eagles with 9.5 sacks during the 2017 season, a crucial contribution to their Super Bowl LII victory.
One of the most memorable moments of his career came in that championship game when he recorded a game-changing strip-sack of Tom Brady in the closing minutes, helping secure the Eagles' first-ever Super Bowl title. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic moments in Philadelphia sports history.
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Before his injury, Brandon Graham had a historic performance, moving past Clyde Simmons to claim third place on the Eagles' all-time sack list. In the game, Graham recorded a sack, three quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss. He now has 76.5 career sacks, edging out Simmons by half a sack for third place in franchise history. Only Reggie White (124) and Trent Cole (85.5) have more sacks than Graham.
Regardless of whether Graham does return from his injury in 2025, he says he plans to help lead the team throughout the season.
"I'm hoping we're holding that trophy regardless," Graham said post-game. "Like I say, I'll do my part as far as being a captain. The mission is still the mission. I'm still gonna be me. I'm still gonna have fun, I'm still gonna talk my stuff. I'm done, but they better know somebody's coming right behind me."
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