Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean done for playoffs

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles middle linebacker Nakobe Dean, the key signal-caller on defense, will miss the rest of the postseason with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, an MRI revealed Monday.

Dean exited Sunday’s playoff win against Green Bay in the second quarter and was later on crutches and wearing a knee brace on the sideline. Recovery from reparative surgery could stretch into the start of next season.

“Nakobe’s had a great year,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said at his day-after Zoom availability. “He’s going to be out, and we sure will miss him. He’s made big plays all year long. One that comes to everyone’s mind is going to be the interception against Jacksonville to seal the game. But he had a couple plays in yesterday’s game that were outstanding, that set the tone of how physical we were going to play.”

Oren Burks, who forced the Packers’ fumble on the opening kickoff return, replaced Dean and likely will play in his spot going forward. Linebacker Zack Baun, who has had an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl season, took over signal-calling duties with Dean hobbled.

“I’ve been in this situation a lot in my career,” said Burks, a third-round pick out of Vanderbilt by the Packers in 2018. “We’re definitely playing for (Dean) out there. We’re going to miss him. … This is a ‘next man up’ mentality.”

Burks spent three years in Green Bay and two in San Francisco before the Eagles signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason. He started in place of Dean in Week 17 against the Cowboys, recording eight tackles and forcing a fumble in the 41-7 victory.

He also played 71 snaps in last year’s Super Bowl, which the 49ers lost in overtime 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs, and had five tackles.

“He did a great job (Sunday), and he does a great job every time he comes in,” Baun said of Burks. “He practices every week like he’s going to be the starter, does a great job on special teams.”

Dean’s knee injury occurred early in the second quarter while tackling tight end Tucker Kraft behind the line of scrimmage. The Eagles selected him in the third round out of Georgia in 2022. After injuries plagued him a year ago, Dean won the full-time starting job following an impressive training camp this season. He beat out Devin White, whom the Birds had signed to a one-year, $4 million contract.

“I think the fourth play of the game yesterday really shows you who Nakobe Dean is,” Sirianni said, referring to a Josh Jacobs two-yard run up the middle, blown up by Dean and Jordan Davis. “He identifies the play lightning fast, and that’s because of how much time he spends working on this game – he loves football – and being able to diagnose plays. And he lights up the puller with that physical toughness play.

“You saw everything of who Nakobe is on that play … bam, a good football I.Q., boom, physical toughness … I’ve got a lot of faith in the guys in that room, but we’ll for sure miss Nakobe.”

Dean was second on the team in tackles this year with 128, and he had three sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries while leading the league’s top defense. Now, it’s is Burks’ turn.

“This is for all the marbles, man, win or go home,” Burks said. “That mindset, I’ve played in a lot of playoff games but haven’t won the big one, so that’s extra motivation, with this team especially. I just want to help make that happen.”