- Brandon Graham is expected to retire at the end of the 2024 season
Veteran Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham will miss the rest of the season with a torn triceps, he told reporters after his team’s win over the Rams on Sunday night.
Graham, 36, was in the middle of his 15th NFL season (all with Philadelphia) and had a sack and two combined tackles at SoFi Field as the Eagles won 37-20 and moved to 9-2 on the season.
But he made a shocking announcement in his locker after the match, telling reporters: “I’m done.”
Graham, who is expected to retire after this season, told reporters that he was hit in the elbow during the match.
“If I had to go out there like that, I gave it my all on the field,” he said. ‘All I know is that they’re not done with me yet. So I make sure I go out there and be the best leader I can be.”
Brandon Graham warms up ahead of the Eagles’ win over the Rams on Sunday
Graham had a sack in the game as the Eagles won 37-20 at SoFi Stadium
Graham, who seemed to be in surprisingly good spirits given the news, said he had previously suffered from triceps tendonitis.
“This time it was different, he hit me and it stuck a little longer,” he said. “And when they tried to examine me, I knew something was wrong.”
Graham added that he called his wife to tell her the news, while his children were reduced to tears.
‘It hurt[s]’, but I tell you: I will be better for it.’
Graham, who totaled 3.5 sacks this season, did not confirm one way or the other if this would indeed be his final season.
He spoke earlier about the Zach Gelb show about his football future and seemed to leave the door open for a return in 2025.
‘Just let me get through the year. Then we will talk about it,” he said.
“I know one thing: if I stop doing it, it will be over forever.”
The Eagles travel to the Ravens next weekend in the first game without Graham this season.