The Philadelphia Eagles got some terrible news in the team's Wild Card Round showdown against the Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia got the win but lost breakout
"It hurt my heart," said edge rusher Nolan Smith, who was Dean's teammate at Georgia. "As soon as I walked in (the locker room), seeing him in here, I prayed. Then I was the first one there (on the field). I tried to help him up. He said, 'No.'
Dean, a starting linebacker, went down late in the second quarter and is out for the rest of the playoffs after a fine season for the Eagles. The next man up is Oren Burks.
Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean has suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee, per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The injury occurred during the Eagles' Wild Card win over the Packers.
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense suffered a major blow during a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's Wild Card playoff clash. Eagles
The Eagles won their matchup against the Packers but lost star defender Nakobe Dean, which forced the team to bring back a former player.
PHILADELPHIA — Nakobe Dean registered double-digit tackles in five of the Eagles’ last six regular-season games and was headed in that direction again Sunday against the Green Bay Packers when his season abruptly ended in the first round of the playoffs.
Morrow was a starting linebacker for the Eagles in 2023, and not a good one. His addition does make sense with Dean going on IR, but the Eagles would need further injury carnage at linebacker for Morrow to see the field in the regular defense.
The Philadelphia Eagles defense is highly successful, but they'll have to make it work without linebacker Nakobe Dean for the rest of the playoffs — and maybe longer. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport,
The Eagles hold a 10-0 lead over the Packers, but they are taking hits on the defensive side of the football. Darius Slay exited with an elbow injury, but he looks to be returning to the game. Still, one of their most important defenders, Nakobe Dean, could be lost for this game and potentially longer.
The NFL Network reported Monday morning that Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in his knee, and that he could miss the start of the 2025 season. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that Dean won't return this season. "Nakobe's had a great year," Sirianni said. "He's gonna be out and we sure will miss him. He's made big plays all year long."