Syracuse football loses D-lineman to career-ending Achilles tear

Braylen Ingraham

Syracuse defensive lineman Braylen Ingraham is out for the season after suffering an Achilles tear this summer, bringing the Alabama transfer's career with the Orange to a close. dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football defensive lineman Braylen Ingraham’s football career at Syracuse is over due to injury, Fran Brown said Monday.

“He will not be playing at Syracuse anymore,” Brown said.

It is unlikely he’ll be able to continue playing elsewhere without a hardship waiver to extend his eligibility.

Ingraham tore his left Achilles tendon. He was seen wearing a medical boot and using a scooter outside the team facility earlier in the day.

The way the injury was discussed Monday implied Ingraham would go into the work force after this season.

Asked whether the tear happened since training camp opened Thursday, Brown said it occurred “a little while ago.”

Brown said he believes Ingraham will have surgery to repair the injury Tuesday.

“Sad for him. Prayed with him. Extremely thankful that I got a chance to know him and he gets a chance to be here with us, ‘cause he’s a really good kid,” Brown said.

Ingraham has a passion for project management, Brown said, and the program will help him find a career in it while he continues his rehab.

Brown, though, has another hope for Ingraham’s future.

“I really want him to wanna coach,” Brown said. “I’m hoping that I can pull him in and he can want to be a part of the coaching staff and things of that nature.”

Ingraham transferred to Syracuse from Alabama ahead of the 2023 season.

He struggled with injury issues while with the Crimson Tide, tearing his ACL and lateral meniscus in the spring of 2021. The injuries led him to medically retire prior to 2022 to continue his recovery.

Ingraham hadn’t played in a game since 2020 when he appeared in Syracuse’s 2023 season-opener against Colgate. He became a regular substitute at the Orange’s then sole defensive tackle spot, backing up Kevon Darton.

Ingraham appeared in all 13 games for SU last year and tallied 16 tackles, half a sack and two pass deflections.

Ingraham was not expected to be a starter at defensive tackle this fall but was a valuable veteran presence at the position group and likely would’ve again been on the two-deep.

He is the first Syracuse player to suffer a major injury since Brown’s takeover of the team. Others who have had surgeries in the time since were facing issues prior to Brown’s or their own arrival at SU.

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