Eagles lose 2 key veterans to injury, one for the season and the other who's the 'heartbeat of this team'

PHILADELPHIA – Two key veteran Eagles players suffered injuries in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers when right guard Brandon Brooks and defensive end Brandon Graham left.

NFL reporter and anchor Derrick Gunn reported that Graham suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, and Graham confirmed that he's out for the season in a tweet after the game.

He wrote: "We still about to shock the world! I will just be leading from the sidelines this year working to be great for 2022. Appreciate all the love and now it is time for guys to step it up. U have to find the treasure in every situation! #eagles." 

Brooks' injury could potentially be season-ending as well, or at least multiple weeks. He left in the second quarter with a chest injury. But if it's a torn pectoral muscle, that could be much worse.

The Eagles announced Graham's injury as an ankle injury early in the second half and said that he wouldn't return. 

MISSED CHANCES:2 key players injured as Eagles miss several chances to take big lead, trail 49ers at halftime

"We're fearful of what it might be," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Graham's injury after the Eagles' 17-11 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

"We don't know for sure yet, so I don't want to say," he added. "But obviously we're concerned. He's such a good leader on this football team, so if we are without him, it will be a big blow."

Sirianni said he was still "getting more information" on Brooks' injury, but that didn't sound promising, either.

Rookie Landon Dickerson replaced Brooks.

Graham, who's 33 years old and in his 12th season, suffered the injury in the final two minutes of the first half. He went down and stayed on the turf for a few minutes as trainers quickly surrounded him. Graham was helped to his feet as teammates surrounded him to show their support.

Graham couldn't put any weight on his left leg, and was helped off the field into a cart.

"It was a pretty emotional moment for me to see BG limp off the field," defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. "Me and Brandon have played so much ball together, and to see him walk off the field was pretty rough for me."

Graham was coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2020, the first time in his career that he was selected.

Brooks, a three-time Pro Bowl player, continues to struggle with injuries. He missed all of 2020 after tearing his Achilles for the second time. He also missed two weeks this summer with a hamstring injury, and had been limited in practice in each of the first two weeks of the season with a knee injury.

Right tackle Lane Johnson said Brooks is "the heartbeat of this team."

“You can’t replace those type of players," Johnson said about Brooks and Graham. "Younger guys have to step up, and we have to press on. It’s terrible because Brooks is one of my best friends, he’s been the best guard in the league for a long time, and he was doing well so far this season.

"Not having him out there is a tremendous loss for us."

The Eagles have Josh Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan and Derek Barnett at defensive end. In addition, rookie Milton Williams can play both defensive end and tackle.

Graham ranks fourth in Eagles history with 59.5 sacks.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.