PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a knee injury during the team’s Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The injury occurred in the second quarter when Dean tackled tight end Tucker Kraft, leading to immediate concerns over his status. Dean was quickly carted off the field and ruled out for the remainder of the game, which the Eagles won 22-10.
After the game, Dean was seen leaving Lincoln Financial Field on crutches, with his left leg heavily braced. This has raised uncertainty about his availability for forthcoming playoff games. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark shared images of Dean exiting the stadium, his hoodie pulled up amid the somber atmosphere surrounding his injury. The initial assessments suggest potential damage to his ACL, though there’s hope he may have sustained something less severe, like hyperextension.
Head coach Nick Sirianni did not provide updates on Dean's status following the victory, but teammates voiced their concern about the impact of losing one of their key players. “We’re definitely playing for him out there,” said linebacker Oren Burks, who took over Dean’s role after his exit. “We’re going to miss him. We don’t know what the situation is, but this is a next man-up mentality.”
Dean’s performance this season has cemented him as one of the Eagles' defensive pillars. He recorded 128 tackles and is second on the team for the regular season, showcasing his importance to the Eagles’ top-ranked defense.
This latest injury adds to Dean’s troubled history. Earlier this season, he missed significant time due to foot injuries, and many fans and players alike expressed concern about his health. Zack Baun, another linebacker on the team, recounted seeing Dean after the injury. “I saw him in the locker room afterward,” Baun said. “I don’t know what happened. I don’t think he knows what happened yet.”
The Eagles’ defense was already reeling from injuries going against Green Bay, as both Darius Slay and Elgton Jenkins were among other players who exited the game due to various injuries. Despite these challenges, the Eagles managed to pull through, highlighted by their 16-3 lead at the time of Dean’s injury.
With the upcoming Divisional Round against another formidable opponent fast approaching, Dean's absence will loom large over the Eagles’ playoff strategy. Although Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are poised to step up, Dean’s performance this season has been instrumental to the Eagles defensive success.
Teammates expressed their solidarity and support for Dean during this difficult time. Edge rusher Nolan Smith, who played alongside Dean at Georgia, shared, “It hurt my heart. I was right there praying for him. A lot of people see this as just football, but this is our livelihood.”
The Eagles have historically managed to navigate injuries, relying on depth from their roster, but Dean’s injury presents substantial repercussions for their playoff aspirations. The immediate concern centers on Dean’s health, as the team scrambles for both short-term solutions and strategizing for potential long-term impacts on their defensive lineup.
Next week, all eyes will be on the team's medical updates, with hope resting on Dean for the possibility of quicker recovery than anticipated. Should the Eagles advance beyond the Divisional Round, the AFC Championship Game would precede the Super Bowl, giving Dean slim opportunities to return on the field.
“We don’t know what the situation is right now, but he’s been our leader throughout,” Burks reiterated the importance of Dean’s role within the team. “We need to keep heaping on the prayers, and we’re committed to carrying his spirit onward.”
The looming playoff matches will be against formidable opponents, and the Eagles will need every bit of their squad to maintain the intensity they’ve shown this season.