Eagles’ Brooks confirms he left game because of anxiety
Colts’ Ebron expected to miss rest of season
Brandon Brooks has confirmed a report that he left the Eagles’ 17-9 loss Sunday to the Seahawks early because of symptoms related to anxiety.
The Pro Bowl right guard had previously missed two games with the Eagles because of his condition. But that had been three seasons ago. He seemingly had overcome his anxiety enough to become arguably one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
But Brooks, 30, revealed Monday morning, in a statement he released on Twitter, that his anxiety had caused him to leave Sunday after just a series or two.
“I woke up, and did my typical routine of morning vomiting,” Brooks wrote. “It didn’t go away like it normally does, but I figured it would calm down once I got to the stadium. It did, but I felt exhausted. The nausea came back, and I tried to battle through it and went out for the first drive.
“The nausea and vomiting came back until I left the field, and tried everything I could to get back for my teammates but just wasn’t able to do it.”
The Eagles initially said that Brooks left early because of an illness. Coach Doug Pederson said after the game, when asked if the guard’s absence had anything to do with anxiety, that he had yet to meet with the team’s medical staff. He confirmed Monday morning, however, during his regularly scheduled interview with 94.1-WIP, that Brooks’ departure was connected to his condition.
“This is a real life issue,” Pederson said. “This is not a football issue with Brandon. This is a real life issue that he has come out and publicly acknowledged and kind of shared his story a few years back. It’s something that he’s dealing with each and every day of his life. You never really know what triggers it.
“We’re here to support him. We love him.”
The Eagles struggled without Brooks. They were already without right tackle Lane Johnson, who was sidelined with a concussion. Johnson and Brooks are best friends on the team. They often have described their mutual pregame ritual of vomiting and talking each other through it. Johnson wasn’t at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday because of NFL rules for head-injury recovery.
Brooks has spoken openly about his anxiety. He often has credited Johnson with helping him manage the condition. Brooks had become one of the Eagles’ most reliable blockers over the last three seasons. He somehow returned from a torn Achilles tendon, suffered in January, in time for the season opener, and just two weeks ago, the Eagles signed him to a four-year, $56.2 million contract extension.
Despite his recent successes, Brooks never has suggested that his anxiety had been cured.
“Make no mistake I’m NOT ashamed or embarrassed by this nor what I go through daily,” Brooks wrote in his statement. “I’ve had this under control for a couple of years, and had a setback yesterday. The only thing I’m upset about is that when my team needed me, I wasn’t able to be out there with and for them.”
COLTS: Indianapolis has put Pro Bowl tight end Eric Ebron on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
He is expected to miss the rest of the season. Tight end Ross Travis was signed to replace Ebron.
The move comes days after top receiver T.Y. Hilton returned to the lineup and at a time when Indy’s offense has struggled. Ebron had 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns in his second season with the Colts (6-5).
GIANTS: Two key Giants starters sustained serious injuries on Sunday: safety Jabrill Peppers (transverse process fracture) and wide receiver Golden Tate (concussion).
Peppers’ injury refers to a fractured bone connected to the vertebrae that protect the spinal cord.
Head coach Pat Shurmur expressed hope Peppers might be able to play again this season “relative to pain tolerance.” That would seem to indicate the injury will not require surgery.
Tate, meanwhile, was diagnosed with his second concussion of the year, including a preseason concussion also incurred against the Bears.
JETS: Wyatt Ray is getting another chance to be a big hit in the NFL.
The New York Jets signed the linebacker with famous musical bloodlines to the practice squad on Monday.
Ray is the grandson of the late Nat King Cole and nephew of the late Natalie Cole. Ray’s mother Casey and aunt Timolin are twin younger sisters of Natalie Cole.
Ray was released from Buffalo’s practice squad on Nov. 6 after being signed last month. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound pass rusher was signed by Cleveland in May as an undrafted free agent out of Boston College. He was among the Browns’ final cuts in training camp and also spent time on Houston’s practice squad earlier this season.
Ray had 17 career sacks at Boston College, including nine sacks in 12 games in his last season.
CHARGERS: Los Angeles could get both of its starting safeties back for Sunday’s game at Denver.
Derwin James practiced for the first time since training camp on Monday and has been officially designated for return from injured reserve. James suffered a stress fracture to his right foot during joint practices with the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 15.
While coach Anthony Lynn was measured in his assessment of James, he was optimistic about Adrian Phillips being ready to play this week.
Phillips was given the designation to return on Nov. 15 and practiced leading up to the Nov. 18 game against Kansas City at Mexico City. Phillips broke his right forearm during the fourth quarter of a 13-10 loss at Detroit on Sept. 15.