Last Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles won their seventh straight game when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-20.
However, there was some bad news following the victory when it was revealed that 36-year-old DE Brandon Graham will miss the rest of the season with a torn triceps muscle, which Eagles coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Tuesday.
“I think it’s pretty well known that he’ll be out for the rest of the season,” Sirianni said this week. “Again, my heart goes out to him and how much he’s put into this thing, his entire career and this season. And we’ll sure as heck miss him…
“I know that man can lead when he’s on the field, when he’s off the field, no matter what. I’m excited that we still have his leadership and everything that he feeds this football team. But bummed for Brandon.”
Sirianni has been around Graham, who might retire at season’s end, for four seasons and discussed his time with the 15-year veteran.
“I can’t say enough good things about [Brandon Graham] BG,” he said. “I think you guys have asked me this a couple times, and everybody and every workplace needs a Brandon Graham. His energy is contagious. If you’re having a bad day and you get around him, he can turn your day positive. Obviously, the [type of] player [he is] speaks for itself and the play on the field. He was having a great year.
“I just can’t say enough about him as a leader, as a captain, as a teammate. And I’ve said this a bunch: When I first got the head-coaching job, to have [former Eagles DT Fletcher Cox] Fletch, and [Former Eagles C] Jason [Kelce], and [T] Lane [Johnson], and BG, four guys that were 10-plus year Eagles on the offensive and defensive line, really made the transition from coordinator to head coach a lot easier because of who they are as captains and people. And BG is right there at the top of the list.
“He means a lot to me, and I just can’t say enough good things about BG.”
Without Graham, the Eagles have to turn to OLBs Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, andJosh Sweat, along with newly acquired OLB Charles Harris, and Sirianni is happy with what the team has going forward.
“I feel like we have good options in-house,” he said. “And I know that [Executive Vice President/General Manager] Howie [Roseman] and his staff will leave no stone unturned.
“But, again, like I said, you only focus on the guys that you have right now. And the guys we have, I’m excited about their opportunity. As bummed as I am for Brandon and losing him, I’m excited for these other guys’ opportunities – [OLB] Josh [Sweat] and [OLB] Nolan [Smith] and [OLB] Jalyx [Hunt]. Nolan keeps getting better, [OLB Josh Sweat] Sweaty is having a great year, and Jalyx is seeing an up-tick in his snaps.
“Jalyx and Nolan play with relentless effort and great physicality. As bummed as I am for BG, I’m excited for the opportunities we have for guys in-house. And we have other options as well, in-house.”
Graham’s replacements will get their first test on Sunday when the Eagles go on the road to battle the high-powered Ravens.
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