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

Midway through the fourth quarter Sunday against the Rams, 15-year veteran Brandon Graham was evaluated on the sideline by the training staff before heading into the locker room. DE got some words of encouragement from his teammates before leaving the court, 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 number of reasons, not the least of which is the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team. This year was supposed to be his farewell tour prior to retirement, but going out in Week 12 was not in the plan. Not only is cutting things short unceremoniously, but Graham still got a good number of snaps each week and performed at an incredibly high level.

Losing Graham’s energy on the field is not something to be taken lightly, and the loss will be felt among the already lightweight edge rusher rotation. The team had to put Bryce Huff on IR earlier this week, and Josh Sweat came off the field to nurse a foot injury in the second half against the Rams. That leaves rookie Jalyx Hunt, who has gotten some extra 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 game because they rotate guys and keep them fresh, and that becomes increasingly difficult with fewer options. Going down the stretch, depth at edge rusher will be something that needs to be addressed.

Graham’s injury is also just really bad for one of the good guys. One of those guys who shows up every day, does the work and contributes in a 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.