The news wasn't all good for the Philadelphia Eagles after Sunday's wild-card win over the visiting Green Bay Packers.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean is expected to undergo an MRI on his knee Monday morning. NFL Network is reporting. The first-year starter was carted off the field in the second quarter of the 22-10 victory.
He was seen using crutches after the game, and now NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport say he is believed to have suffered a significant knee injury that could end his postseason.
This would represent a tremendous blow to a defense that ranked first in yards and second in points.
Dean's injury occurred while stopping Packers tight end Tucker Kraft for a three-yard loss on a short pass from Jordan Love. He initially appeared as if he was about to stand up before resting on one knee and remaining on the field while awaiting medical attention.
“Dean sniffed it out,” one fan commented on X.
Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles is pulled after suffering an injury in the second quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Another wondered: “I really can't understand 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, although he made 15 starts, the third-round pick recorded nine tackles for a loss and one 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 noted that Philadelphia's defense is largely made up of their former college rivals from Georgia.
“I think one thing I learned was the bond those Georgia guys have and how they play,” Hurts said. “I think that's had a big influence on our defense, because there's always confidence, there's always intensity and arrogance about themselves.
“I think that carries over to the entire defense, and I think it's very similar to all the guys that come from Alabama and the SEC and have seen each other and played next to each other, or watch guys play in that conference or at the university.
“But I think he's a critical piece to our defense and we'll miss him.” I am praying for a speedy recovery.”