Eagles DE Brandon Graham, CB Darius Slay injured in win

LOS ANGELES – Eagles veteran defensive end Brandon Graham will miss the rest of the season, he told reporters Sunday night, after tearing his left triceps during Philadelphia’s 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

It’s possible that Graham, a Philadelphia icon and the author of the greatest play in franchise history — a sack by Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII that gave the Eagles their only Lombardi Trophy — has played his last NFL snap.

He said before the season started that his 15th year would be his last. Playing at a high level at the age of 36, he has since left the door open for a return, but it’s no guarantee.

“I’m just trying to process everything right now. I haven’t gotten that far,” Graham said. “But you know what, I’m going to keep my spirits up, keep enjoying it … because we have a special team right now and it’s time for people to step up.

“I’m happy that this is where we are. And if anything, if I had to go out, I’m happy with the way I played today. And I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Graham made a big impact in Sunday’s win with a sack, 2 tackles for loss and 3 quarterback hits. He left in the fourth quarter after chipping his elbow by running back Kyren Williams while rushing off the left sideline on a pass play.

At first, Graham thought it was just elbow tendonitis he’d been dealing with that flared up, but knew something was wrong when he was examined by trainers on the sidelines.

“(The coach) told me and I was just trying to process it out there. I called my wife and told her the news. Kids were crying,” he said. “But at the end of the day it is what it is. No point in crying about it. I was just told I put everything into it, it hurt, but I’m telling you, I’m getting better from it.”

As news began to circulate on the Eagles’ sideline, quarterback Jalen Hurts approached Graham, put his arm around him and spoke to him at length.

“That I was there for him,” Hurts said of the message he delivered. “It’s very unfortunate for the guy first and a teammate second. A guy who has loved this franchise, has always tried to elevate and really teach the younger guys coming in. … His drive has been to be his best self, but really be the best teammate he can be and serve everyone he can.”

Other teammates gave Graham a hug or pat on the back when he entered. While the Eagles celebrated their seventh straight win to move to 9-2, the loss of Graham clearly stood out among his peers.

“I’ve only been able to be his teammate for a short period of time, but I feel like I’ve known him my whole life,” said Saquon Barkley, who set a career high with over 300 scrimmage yards on Sunday. “He’s the reason this transition for me has been so easy — him along with a lot of other guys.

“The energy and passion that he brings to not only this team but this city, he epitomizes what it is to be a Philadelphia Eagle. And we all have to line up and try to follow and try to achieve the things he accomplished.”

With his sack Sunday, Graham moved into third place on the Eagles’ all-time sack list (76.5), trailing only Reggie White (124) and Trent Cole (88.5). He holds the record for most regular season games (206) in Eagles history.

The Eagles are short-handed at the edge rusher position. Bryce Huff, one of the team’s big free agent acquisitions, is on injured reserve after undergoing wrist surgery, but is expected to return toward the end of the regular season. The bulk of the responsibility, meanwhile, will fall to Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith and rookie Jalyx Hunt.

Philadelphia also saw cornerback Darius Slay leave early in the third quarter with a concussion after a hard collision while making a tackle on tight end Colby Parkinson along the right sideline.

Slay was replaced at the line by Isaiah Rodgers, who was flagged for pass interference in the end zone later in the drive to set up a Rams score.

Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler, is in his 12th NFL season. He has seven passes defensed and one forced fumble on the year, and the Eagles came in with the No. 1 pass defense. 2 in the league (173 yards per game).