Brooks to miss 2020 after tearing Achilles
Eagles Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks sustained a season-ending torn Achilles’ tendon in his left leg during a workout Monday.
The veteran announced the injury in a tweet. Later Brooks tweeted that he tore his left Achilles’ tendon running 60-yard shuttles at the NovaCare Complex.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson spoke about the setback during a teleconference Tuesday.
“My heart sunk when I got the news,” Pederson said. “We feel for him to have to go through this again.”
Pederson said he’s had conversations with the players about demonstrations during the national anthem. Right now, he hasn’t decided if he’ll join them.
“Nothing has been determined,” Pederson said. “I support players who demonstrate peacefully and stand for something. We support our players and I support our players and we’re going to have these conversations once we get into camp.”
Additionally, the Eagles could use Lincoln Financial Field for training camp and practices to alleviate the crowding at the smaller NovaCare Complex. Pederson said the Eagles are exploring different possibilities.
The big news, though, was Brooks, who has had some physical issues.
“So I guess now that news is out yes I tore my other Achilles but when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. I’ll be back and better than ever. Appreciate the love,” the threetime Pro Bowl guard tweeted Monday night.
The Eagles have depth at guard in Matt Pryor, who stepped in for Brooks on multiple occasions last season, including the playoffs.
Pryor started the wild card game at right guard against Seattle, Brooks having dislocated his shoulder in the regular-season finale.
The Eagles also think a lot of guard Sua Opeta (6-4, 301), a product of Weber State that they promoted from the practice squad with four games left in the 2019 campaign.
The wild card for the Eagles this season is Jason Peters. The 38-year-old veteran not only may be the best option at left tackle but at guard as well. Peters has said he’d be willing to move inside to guard.
If the Eagles go outside to find a replacement, seven-year veteran Larry Warford (63, 317) needs a job. He played the last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
“As far as the plan moving forward at this point we’re still looking at a lot of options starting with our own roster and the guys that we have competing for those backup spots and possibly those starting spots,” Pederson
said. “We haven’t made any decisions. We’re going to take a look at a lot of different scenarios, different possibilities. We’ve got some time before training camp to kind of sort these things out.”
Brooks, who turns 31 in August, has been unable to complete the last two seasons due to injury. Brooks signed a four-year, $56.3 million contract extension last November. This season, he’s due $1.25 million in base salary, a workout bonus of $100,000 and an $8.4 million bonus.