Brandon Graham hasn’t just been one of the more steady presences amongst the Philadelphia Eagles for the last 12 seasons, but he’s also been one of the most positive.
That tune didn’t change even after suffering a season-ending torn ACL during the Eagles’ Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
“When I got hurt, I said a prayer and I was just like, ‘Let’s go,’” Graham told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I tried to have the best attitude I could have. Of course, I was hurt this morning when it kind of set in, but I ain’t stay there long.
“I’m just going to enjoy it from the sideline. But I’m still going to be there. I’m going to give everything I got. The intensity is still going to be there.”
The significance of Graham’s injury was almost immediate after going down inside the final two minutes of the first half. He was unable to put any weight on his leg as he was carted off the field.
Surgery will be required, as will be an extensive rehabilitation, but Graham guaranteed that he’ll do everything possible to stay around the Eagles throughout the 2021 season.
“I’m going to make sure I help anybody that’s willing to listen,” Graham said. “I’m sure it’s a lot of guys that want to be helped. I just want them to go out there and be them. That’s all I’m really going to tell them. I see our team, I know what I can do. I know I’m just one guy. Yes, I’m a big part of some stuff but another guy can be just as big and it’s all about his mindset.”
Labeling him as a big part of things might be an understatement. The 33-year-old defensive end has recorded 59 sacks over his first 11 years with the team. He had played in all but one game since the start of the 2012 season and has started in all but one game since the start of the 2016 campaign.
Much of that time with the Eagles has been spent with fellow defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, who was clearly affected by Graham’s injury on Sunday.
“BG has been my locker mate since I got here and now we still get to laugh and talk about things,” Cox said. “It’s just he won’t be on the field on Sundays, it’ll be in the locker room. So, I’m looking forward to that and making sure he stays in a good place.”
That seems as though that won’t be a problem with the way Graham is approaching the next hill to climb in his career.
“No sense in crying over it, might as well just get ready for what’s to come,” Graham said. “I’m going to work my butt off to get back while I’m working my butt off to try to help the team too.”
