Tag: Eagles

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Red-hot Eagles seek to quiet controversy, stifle Steelers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles will seek the first 10-game winning streak in the franchise’s 92-year history when they host the Keystone State rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Eagles (11-2), despite being unbeaten since September, enter this colossal clash under a cloud of controversy regarding an allegedly deteriorating relationship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and star receiver A.J. Brown.

There’s little margin for error against a rejuvenated Russell Wilson and the Steelers (10-3), who have won seven of their last eight games. The only loss in that stretch was by five points at snowy Cleveland in Week 12.

The Eagles spent part of the week doing damage control after captain Brandon Graham told a podcast that Hurts and Brown were no longer friends. Graham later apologized for his remarks, which came after Hurts threw for a season-low 108 yards in last weekend’s 22-16 win against the Carolina Panthers.

Brown caught four passes for 43 yards in that tougher-than-expected contest and has only one touchdown catch in his last seven games. When Brown was asked after the Carolina game what the offense needed to improve on, he replied: “Passing.”

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said Brown wasn’t pointing fingers at Hurts with that answer.

“I took it as we want to get better as a passing attack. A.J. is part of the passing attack. And so, we all want to be better at it,” Sirianni said in his weekly appearance Tuesday with 94 WIP.

“Jalen and A.J. are both really outstanding people, and both really outstanding players. I love that our players are wanting to get better and desire to get better, and that’s what we talk about all of the time — is how we get better and be able to do things that are special.”

The Steelers, meanwhile, have continued to get better since Wilson became the starter in Week 7. Pittsburgh can join the Eagles in the playoff field with a win in Philadelphia.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection and postseason regular during his decade with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson is 6-1 this season after compiling an 11-19 record in two years with the Denver Broncos. He is averaging 254.9 passing yards per game with 12 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

Wilson avenged the Steelers’ earlier loss to the Browns by tossing two second-half touchdown passes in a 27-14 win in last weekend’s rematch in Pittsburgh.

Starting with Philadelphia, the Steelers will play three games in 11 days against teams with a combined 31-8 record. They will play in Baltimore on Dec. 21 and will host Kansas City on Dec. 25.

“I’m really just focused on Philadelphia. I don’t care what’s on the other side of it,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

“… We’ve got a task this week. We’ve got a job to do. We’ve got a finite amount of time and materials and talent and manpower, as do they. And so, with that in mind, we’re going to prepare and focus our energies on winning this game.”

Pittsburgh’s manpower may not include No. 1 receiver George Pickens, whom Tomlin said is doubtful to play due to a hamstring injury. In addition to Pickens, safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) also missed practice Wednesday.

Safety Sydney Brown (knee) was the only member of the Eagles who did not practice Wednesday due to injury. Safety Reed Blankenship (concussion), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) and receiver/returner Britain Covey (neck) were limited participants.

The Eagles lead 49-29-3 in the battle of Pennsylvania. The Steelers are 0-3 at Lincoln Financial Field and have not won in Philadelphia since 1965.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) breaks through the defense for a touchdown reception in the first quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024.

Steelers WR George Pickens ‘doubtful’ against Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is doubtful to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

Pickens injured his hamstring in practice last Thursday, three days before the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers decided to hold out Pickens against the Browns out of caution, and an MRI postgame showed the injury was more troubling than the team thought.

“So, we’re just in the mindset now of getting him healthy as quickly as we possibly can,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “There’s a potential for this week, but it’s an outside chance. If you press me, I’d probably say he’s out, or could be characterized as doubtful as we sit here. But, again, like we always do, we’ll go through normal procedure. We’ll let participation be our guide in terms of availability and then obviously the quality of that participation.”

Pickens, 23, has a team-leading 55 catches and 850 yards. He has caught three touchdown passes.

The Steelers (10-3) lead the AFC North. They can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday by beating or tying the Eagles, or a loss or tie by both the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after scoring against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles hold off Panthers for 9th straight win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jalen Hurts threw 4 yards to Grant Calcaterra on Philadelphia’s only second-half scoring drive as the Eagles held off the visiting Carolina Panthers for a 22-16 win Sunday afternoon.

Hurts tossed two touchdowns and finished with 108 yards on 14-for-21 passing. He also ran for a score. Saquon Barkley rushed for 124 yards as the Eagles (11-2) won their ninth game in a row.

Philadelphia needed a defensive stop to seal the win after the Panthers reached the Eagles’ 32-yard line in the final minute on a 13-play drive.

Bryce Young was 19-for-34 for 191 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception for Carolina. The Panthers (3-10), who outgained the Eagles 302-292, lost their third game in a row, with the previous two on final-play field goals at home to Kansas City and Tampa Bay.

After Calcaterra’s score and Barkley’s successful two-point conversion run, the Panthers reached the Philadelphia 27-yard line before failing on fourth-and-2 with 8:35 remaining.

The Eagles kept the ball for 5:37 before punting, giving Carolina the ball back at its own 3-yard line with 2:58 to play.

The Panthers moved into Philadelphia territory, with the key play a 13-yard reception by Adam Thielen on fourth-and-7 from the Carolina 49. Four plays later, Young threw incomplete to Thielen on fourth-and-9 from the 37.

Thielen led all pass-catchers with 102 yards on nine receptions.

The teams traded the lead in the second quarter. Hurts ran in from 1 yard out to conclude a 10-play, 70-yard drive that put the Eagles up 7-3.

The Panthers, who earlier received a 38-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro, went back ahead on a 14-play march when Young connected with Tommy Tremble on fourth-and-goal from the 3.

Philadelphia claimed a 14-10 lead 14 seconds before halftime on DeVonta Smith’s 4-yard catch from Hurts.

Chuba Hubbard’s 1-yard run in the third quarter concluded a Carolina drive that lasted almost eight minutes, with the Panthers going up 16-14 after Pineiro’s extra-point kick missed. Hubbard finished with 92 yards on 26 carries.

Philadelphia regained the lead with 13:45 remaining in the game.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) runs through Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) tackles attempt for a touchdown during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Eagles placing TE Dallas Goedert (knee) on injured reserve

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles are placing tight end Dallas Goedert on injured reserve due to a knee injury, meaning he will miss at least four games, NFL Network reported Saturday.

The goal is for Goedert to be ready to play in the postseason.

Goedert, 29, already was ruled out for the Eagles (10-2) against the visiting Carolina Panthers (3-9) on Sunday. NFC East-leading Philadelphia has five regular-season games remaining.

He missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury, then hurt his knee in the 24-19 victory over the host Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

Goedert started all nine games he has played this season and totaled 38 receptions on 46 targets for 441 yards and two touchdowns.

The Eagles selected Goedert in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has 345 receptions for 4,030 yards and 24 TDs in 92 career games (75 starts).

The team’s depth chart at tight end lists Grant Calcaterra and veteran C.J. Uzomah, who was signed from the practice squad to the active roster on Wednesday. Philadelphia also is expected to sign rookie E.J. Jenkins from the practice squad to the active roster, NFL Network reported.

Calcaterra, who turned 26 on Wednesday, has 17 catches on 20 targets for 216 yards in 12 games (eight starts).

Uzomah, 31, has appeared in three games in his first season in Philadelphia. He has 192 catches for 1,881 yards and 16 TDs in 109 career games (82 starts).

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs for a third quarter gain defended by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Eagles’ top-ranked defense sets sights on Bryce Young, Panthers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The stingy, streaking Eagles will play four of their last five games in Philadelphia, starting with Sunday’s visit from the Carolina Panthers.

The Eagles (10-2) are 8-0 since their bye week, holding opponents to averages of 15.3 points and 241.3 total yards per game during that span while collecting 30 sacks and 12 takeaways and giving up just six touchdown passes.

Linebacker Zack Baun leads the Eagles with 118 tackles — 30 more than he accumulated during his first four NFL seasons (2020-23) with the New Orleans Saints combined.

“I think a lot of guys on this defense and this team have been underdogs for a long time, having a chip on their shoulder,” Baun said after Sunday’s 24-19 road win against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I know I have, and … a lot of these linebackers also. (We’re) just playing aggressive. We want to grind on teams, and we want to wear them out.”

Fueled by MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, the Eagles have been wearing opponents out on offense, too. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,499 rushing yards after gaining 107 against the Ravens, his eighth 100-yard game this season to match Wilbert Montgomery’s 1981 team record.

Philadelphia is one shy of matching the franchise’s record nine-game winning streak set in 1960 and matched in 2003 and 2017. The Eagles also can clinch a playoff spot with a victory or a tie and some help.

The Panthers (3-9) arrive at Lincoln Financial Field with a 1-4 road record and a two-game losing streak. Both of those defeats were by three points, including last weekend’s 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina’s last four games have been decided by a total of 10 points.

The Carolina offense ranks 30th in the league in scoring (18.1 points per game) and total yards (292.3 per game) heading into the meeting with Philadelphia’s No. 1 defense (282.8 yards per game).

Despite the daunting challenge that awaits on Sunday afternoon, there is reason for optimism for the Panthers.

Second-year quarterback Bryce Young has shown flashes of why he was the No. 1 pick in 2023, playing some of his best football since regaining his starting role in Week 8. He has not thrown an interception in his last three starts and has at least one touchdown pass in five straight games.

Young completed a career-high 26 of 46 passes for 298 yards against the Buccaneers, including the go-ahead TD pass to Adam Thielen with 30 seconds left in regulation. He also rushed for a touchdown.

“Just decisiveness and having a plan,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said when asked what he’s seen from Young in recent weeks. “Things that we talk about through the week, that come alive on game day, and they’ve been in these critical situations for the last two weeks, for sure … so, I love just how decisive and the mechanics of all those things have been.”

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (rest/knee) was the only Panthers player who did not practice Wednesday. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck), cornerback Caleb Farley (shoulder), and linebackers Josey Jewell (hamstring) and D.J. Wonnum (knee) were limited.

Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was a full participant, and cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) was limited on Wednesday. Smith has missed the last two games, and Slay did not play at Baltimore. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), safeties Reed Blankenship (concussion) and Sydney Brown (knee), and receiver Britain Covey (neck) did not practice.

The Eagles are 8-5 all-time against the Panthers, including in the playoffs. Philadelphia won the most recent meeting 21-18 on Oct. 10, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) tackles Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) on the one yard line during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Eagles battle back, defeat Ravens for 8th straight win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Saquon Barkley ran for 107 yards and a touchdown and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the host Baltimore Ravens 24-19 on Sunday for their eighth consecutive victory.

The Eagles (10-2) have not lost since Sept. 29. They improved to 6-1 in road games and maintained their NFC East lead over the Washington Commanders (8-5).

Jalen Hurts passed for 118 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 29 yards and a score for the Eagles.

In the showdown between Philadelphia’s No. 1 defense and Baltimore’s No. 1 offense, the Eagles held the Ravens to their second-fewest points and second-fewest yards (372) this season.

The Ravens (8-5) head into their bye week after failing to keep pace with the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3), who outslugged the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38 earlier Sunday.

Lamar Jackson passed for 237 yards and two TDs but lost for just the second time in 25 career starts against NFC opponents. Justin Tucker’s struggles continued, as he missed two field goals and an extra point.

After a scoreless third quarter, Barkley broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run to extend the Eagles’ lead to 21-12 with 7:56 to play.

Philadelphia forced a turnover on downs on Baltimore’s ensuing possession and then chewed up the clock with an 11-play drive, capped by Jake Elliott’s 35-yard field goal with 1:03 left to make it 24-12.

Jackson found Isaiah Likely for an 11-yard TD with three seconds left, but Philadelphia recovered the onside kick.

Barkley (1,499 yards) increased his NFL rushing lead over the Ravens’ Derrick Henry (1,407), who finished with 82 yards on 19 carries.

Baltimore built a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, starting with Tucker’s 34-yard field goal. Jackson then fired a 14-yard pass to a leaping Mark Andrews in the end zone, but Tucker’s extra point attempt struck the left upright.

After punting on its first four possessions, Philadelphia surged ahead 14-9 with back-to-back touchdown drives. Hurts tallied a TD pass — 17 yards to Dallas Goedert midway through the second quarter — and a 1-yard TD run, his 12th of the season, at the 2:00 mark.

Tucker’s 50-yard field goal trimmed the Ravens’ deficit to 14-12 with three seconds left before halftime.

Baltimore had two chances to retake the lead with long field goals in the third quarter, but Tucker couldn’t convert. He missed wide left from 47 yards on the first drive of the second half and was wide right from 53 yards with 1:21 remaining in the quarter.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles running back Kye Robichaux (5) scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Boston College defeats Pitt to continue Panthers slide

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grayson James threw for a pair of second-half touchdowns and six passes of at least 25 yards as Boston College defeated Pitt 34-23 in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference action at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

James finished 20-of-28 for 253 yards, helping the Eagles (7-5, 4-4 ACC) to their second straight and third win in four games. He connected with Reed Harris (three receptions, 85 yards) and Kamari Morales for scores, with the former scoring for the second week in a row.

Jordan McDonald and Kye Robichaux rushed into the end zone to help the Eagles open up a 13-0 lead that they would never relinquish, reaching the seven-win mark in the regular season for the first time since 2018.

Despite Nate Yarnell throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns in place of injured starter Eli Holstein, Pitt (7-5, 3-5) suffered its fifth consecutive loss since a 7-0 start.

Gavin Bartholomew caught Yarnell’s first two touchdowns before Konata Mumpfield finished a 144-yard day on eight receptions with one of his own.

Boston College sacked Yarnell six times. Standout defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku had 10 total tackles (4 1/2 for loss) and 3 1/2 sacks.

After Pitt closed within 20-17, James hit Jeremiah Franklin on a third-and-10 scramble to continue a key eight-play, 83-yard scoring drive that Harris finalized on a 28-yard jump-ball in the front corner of the end zone with 2:33 left in the third quarter.

Pitt’s fumbled snap on 4th-and-2 turned the ball back to James, whose 15-yard dot to Morales with 6:12 remaining added insurance. A Lewis Bond conversion on fourth-and-4 set the table.

Mumpfield made a 15-yard touchdown reception with 3:59 left.

A play after James completed his third 25-yarder of the first quarter over the middle to Franklin, Jordan McDonald broke out for a 36-yard touchdown run to give Boston College a 6-0 lead with 1:53 left. The PAT attempt was unsuccessful following a bad snap.

James’ 53-yard strike to Harris set up the Eagles to extend their lead to 13-0 on Robichaux’s 2-yard run with 6:35 left before halftime.

Pitt used a 75-yard drive to score in the ensuing eight plays. Facing third-and-11, Yarnell found a wide-open Bartholomew for an 11-yard score, cutting the Panther deficit to 13-7.

Yarnell then drove the Panthers into opposing territory in four plays, but Neto Okpala’s pressure and tipped pass landed in the hands of defensive tackle Ty Clemons for a 55-yard interception return with 33 seconds left before halftime.

Pitt’s Ben Sauls snuck in a 57-yard field goal as the first-half clock expired.

After a fourth-and-2 hold inside their own territory, Bartholomew caught Yarnell’s last two passes of an eight-play, 65-yard drive, including a five-yarder with 7:50 left in the third to make it 20-17.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

CB Darius Slay out, WR DeVonta Smith questionable for Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has been ruled out for Sunday’s visit to Baltimore, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith is listed as questionable.

Slay did not practice this week while in the NFL’s concussion protocol after leaving the Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday with a head injury.

Smith, meanwhile, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and was limited Thursday and Friday while dealing with a hamstring injury. He did not practice at all last week and missed Sunday’s matchup vs. the Rams, his second absence this season after missing the Eagles’ Week 4 loss at Tampa Bay due to a concussion.

Philadelphia also ruled out linebacker/fullback Ben VanSumeren (knee) and listed wide receiver Johnny Wilson (hamstring) as questionable for Sunday after he missed practice on Friday.

Smith, 26, leads the Eagles with 41 receptions and four touchdown catches ands ranks second with 516 receiving yards in nine starts this season.

The former Heisman Trophy winner has 281 catches for 3,694 yards and 23 scores in 59 games (58 starts) since the Eagles drafted him with the 10th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama.

Slay, 33, has played in 10 games this season despite dealing with a knee injury in Week 6 and a groin injury in Week 8.

In 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions (2013-19) and Eagles (2020-24), Slay has totaled 28 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 155 pass breakups and 602 tackles in 173 career games (163 starts). He has been selected to six Pro Bowl games and was a 2017 All-Pro first-team honoree.

NFC East-leading Philadelphia (9-2) takes a seven-game winning streak to Baltimore (8-4).

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against cornerback Elijah Molden (22) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Runner’s World: Top RBs take flight when Ravens entertain Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles make their second-to-last road trip of the regular season Sunday to face Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens.

The NFC East-leading Eagles (9-2) have won seven in a row and play four of their final six games in Philadelphia, traveling only about 125 miles to visit the Ravens (8-4) this weekend and the Washington Commanders in Week 16.

Sunday’s game features the NFL’s two leading rushers. Barkley (1,392 yards) and Henry (1,325) are far ahead of Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs (944) in third place. Henry leads the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. Barkley (10) is tied for fourth and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts (11) tied for second.

The matchup also features two of the top candidates for Most Valuable Player honors entering Week 13 in Barkley and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won his second MVP award last season. Their competition includes quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Jared Goff of Detroit, with Allen widely considered the favorite.

“Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games, and Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.

“Excited about the opportunity this week because it’s our next one. It will be a really good opponent, really well coached, good players, good atmosphere that will be there. Excited about the opportunity this week. And we’re going to have to be on it against a really good team.”

The showdown at M&T Bank Stadium also pits Baltimore’s No. 1 offense (426.7 yards per game) and No. 2 scoring offense (30.3 points per game) against Philadelphia’s No. 1 defense (274.6) and No. 6 scoring defense (18.1).

The Eagles have held seven consecutive opponents to under 300 total yards, while the Ravens have gained at least 329 yards of offense in all 11 games.

Philadelphia is coming off a 37-20 road win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in which Barkley smashed the franchise record with 255 rushing yards.

Baltimore also earned a prime-time win in Los Angeles, defeating the Chargers 30-23 in the “Harbaugh Bowl” on Monday night behind Jackson’s three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).

Jackson said he’s looking forward to the Barkley and Henry show.

“I’ve known Saquon from high school. We were in the all-star game together and he jumped over somebody’s head,” Jackson recalled Wednesday. “So I’ve pretty much seen him before I even got to the league, college, anything. I’ve been knowing about Saquon, but Derrick Henry — King Henry — I’m with him every day and I’m seeing what he’s capable of, so it’s going to be a great matchup.”

Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced Wednesday after sitting out Monday with a hamstring issue. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) was designated to return from injured reserve. Tight end Charlie Kolar (broken arm) is out for several weeks and cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) did not practice.

The Eagles lost veteran defensive end Brandon Graham to a season-ending triceps injury Sunday. Wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed the win over the Rams and did not practice Wednesday. Neither did cornerbacks Darius Slay (concussion) or Kelee Ringo (calf).

Philadelphia is 5-1 away from home this season — 6-1 if you count their season-opening “home” victory against the Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Baltimore is 4-1 at home.

The Ravens hold a 3-2-1 lead in the series with the Eagles. They haven’t met since Baltimore’s 30-28 win in Week 6 at Philadelphia in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) walks off the field after win against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Season, career might be over for Eagles DE Brandon Graham (triceps)

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham’s rollercoaster Sunday night ended with the 15-year veteran contemplating football mortality with a triceps injury he expects to end his 2024 season.

Graham, who previously said this would be his final year in the league, moved into third place on the Eagles’ all-time sacks list with a second-quarter takedown of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford but left the game injured in the second half.

“I trust God, so I’m just enjoying myself,” Graham said. “I’m about to enjoy this little rehab and I’m about to enjoy leading this team the rest of the year. As soon as I can be out there I’m going to be out there.

“Man, boy, man, boy, I was having fun out there. And we’re still gonna have fun. But I’m out for the year.”

Graham posted career sack No. 76.5 to move ahead of Clyde Simmons behind only Trent Cole and Reggie White on the Eagles’ all-time sacks list. The 36-year-old is 9.0 sacks from tying Cole (85.5) and has played every game of his career — a franchise-record 206 — with the Eagles since being drafted in 2010.

Graham will be placed on injured reserve but said his daily duty to the Eagles as a captain and voice in the defensive line meeting room will not change. As for where he goes from here, he wasn’t ready to say Sunday night. But Graham did appear to prop the door open for a 16th NFL season.

“I was feeling good,” Graham said. “I hated it to go like this, but at the end of the day I don’t have any regrets. I put it all in today like I do every week. We’ll go from here. I’m hoping we’re holding that trophy regardless.

“I don’t wanna go out like this but if it’s pointing toward that, we’ll see. I don’t know what the team will be feeling at that time, but for me, I don’t wanna go out like this. I definitely want to be able to finish a full season before I’m done, but if that ain’t in the cards, I’m content where I’m at, too.”

The fourth defensive lineman drafted in 2010 behind Ndamukong Suh (Lions), Gerald McCoy (Buccaneers) and Tyson Alualu (Jaguars), Graham was the 13th overall selection in the draft. He turns 37 in April but isn’t the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL this season. Dolphins defensive end Calais Campbell turned 38 in September.

Graham had 3.5 sacks in 2024 after posting 3.0 in 17 games last season. He had double-digit sacks only once (11 in 2022) but authored one of the most significant defensive plays in franchise history with a strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory.

–Field Level Media