Eagles ‘fearful’ of Brandon Graham’s injury, Brandon Brooks’ status remains uncertain | What injuries mean for depth chart

Updated: Sep. 19, 2021, 7:57 p.m. | Published: Sep. 19, 2021, 4:53 p.m.

By Mike Kaye | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles are monitoring major injuries for two of their cornerstone players.

Defensive end Brandon Graham (ankle) and right guard Brandon Brooks (chest) both left Sunday’s 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter.

 

According to Gunn on One’s Derrick Gunn, Graham is believed to have suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Brooks suffered a pectoral injury and will receive an MRI this week to determine whether it’s a strain or a full tear.

 

While Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said the team is "fearful” of Graham’s injury, he did not confirm anything about it. Sirianni said he’s still receiving information on Brooks’ ailment.

 

The Eagles’ struggles went from minor to a full-on blitz after both Graham and Brooks left in the first half. Veteran Ryan Kerrigan replaced Graham, a team captain, while second-round pick Landon Dickerson replaced Brooks. Dickerson’s appearance came after he was listed as active for the first time this season. The rookie had recovered from an ACL surgery stemming from his college days at Alabama.

 

With Graham likely lost for the season, the Eagles will need to rely on their depth at defensive end. Josh Sweat just signed a three-year contract extension on Saturday, and he will likely be asked to pick up the slack opposite Derek Barnett. Sweat and Barnett had been rotating as standup linemen opposite Graham in the Eagles’ hybrid defense. Graham’s absence might force Barnett or Sweat to switch sides in front of Kerrigan and rookie Tarron Jackson. Third-round pick Milton Williams could also be asked to step up with Graham out of the lineup.

 

While Brooks’ status remains up in the air, Dickerson is likely to man his right guard spot for as long as needed. Dickerson’s second-round selection was made largely due to the uncertainty of the guard and center positions for the long-term future. Dickerson will now be thrown in the deep end after missing all of training camp and the preseason with his own injury recovery. The Eagles also have third-year guard Nate Herbig to rely on if Dickerson struggles early on.

 

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2021/09/eagles-fearful-of-brandon-grahams-injury-brandon-brooks-status-remains-uncertain-what-injuries-mean-for-depth-chart.html

I don't think this means a lot until they get the results from the MRI. I mean it could be a tear but may be a strain. The fearful stuff is because yeah a tear would be a season ender. 

Either way he's going to miss some time now. That's not ideal but hey it does give Dickerson a run of games. 

Two very talented and very old (in NFL terms) players most likely out for the season. Bummer but not surprising.