Eagles LB Nakobe Dean (knee) out for remainder of playoffs
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Tim McManus, ESPN Employees Author
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles beginning linebacker Nakobe Dean tore the patellar tendon in his left knee throughout Sunday’s wild-card playoff win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers, a league supply confirmed.
Dean will miss the rest of the postseason as a result of harm, coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Monday.
Dean was injured within the second quarter after wrangling tight finish Tucker Kraft to the bottom for a 3-yard loss on a display screen play.
After being assisted off the sector to the medical tent, Dean was carted inside, providing gestures of encouragement to the fan base on his technique to the tunnel.
NFL Community was first to report the seriousness of Dean’s harm.
“He is one of many true leaders on this protection,” mentioned cornerback Darius Slay. “I do know I obtained the ‘C’ on my chest, but when there may be somebody I wish to give my [captaincy] to, it is him.
“It is hurtful to see him go down like that as a result of he’s having an incredible 12 months, enjoying excellent, and I am praying for him for a speedy restoration.”
Dean, the previous Georgia standout and third-round decide within the 2022 draft, elevated to a beginning function for the Eagles final season however was sidelined for all however 5 video games attributable to a number of foot accidents, together with a Lisfranc sprain that landed him on injured reserve in November.
He has been an affect participant for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio this season, racking up 128 tackles, three sacks, 9 tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and an interception through the common season. He additionally was liable for relaying defensive calls to the group, duties that went to All-Professional linebacker Zack Baun when Dean exited Sunday.
Oren Burks changed Dean within the lineup and can doubtless fill in for him transferring ahead. Burks, who performed his first six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and Packers, had 5 tackles Sunday and compelled a fumble on particular groups on the opening kickoff, leading to a turnover and a fast rating for Philadelphia that set the tone for the sport.
