Eagles’ Nakobe Dean ‘set for MRI’ amid fears he suffered season-ending injury in NFL playoff win over Packers
The news wasn’t all good for the Philadelphia Eagles following Sunday’s Wild Card victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean is expected to undergo an MRI of his knee Monday morning, NFL Network reports. The first-year starter was carted off the field in the second quarter of the 22-10 win.
After the game, he was seen using crutches, and now NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport say he likely suffered a significant knee injury that could end his postseason.
This would be a huge blow to a defense that ranked first in yardage and second in points.
Dean’s injury occurred when he stopped Packers Tucker Kraft for a three-yard loss on a short pass from Jordan Love. He initially looked as if he was about to stand up before resting on one knee and remaining on the field to wait for medical attention.
“Dean smelled that one,” one fan commented on X.
Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles is being released after suffering an injury in the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday evening
Another wondered: ‘I really don’t know how he got so hurt by this.’
A standout at Georgia from 2019 through the 2021 national championship season, Dean has proven to be a versatile linebacker, capable of making plays behind the line of scrimmage or in pass coverage.
This season, the third-round pick logged 15 starts, nine tackles for a loss and an interception.
“You hate that,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said of Dean’s injury after the game, as quoted by John Clark of NBC Philadelphia.
Hurts, who played collegiately at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma, then pointed out that Philadelphia’s defense is largely made up of its old college rivals from Georgia.
“I think one thing I learned is the bond that those Georgia guys have, and how they play,” Hurts said. “I think that’s had a big impact on our defense because there’s always confidence, there’s always intensity and swagger about themselves.
“I think it comes through the entire defense, and I think it’s very similar to all the guys that come from Alabama and the SEC that have seen each other and played next to each other, or seen guys play in that conference or at the university.
“But I think he is a crucial part of our defense and he will be missed. I pray for a speedy recovery.”