The Philadelphia Eagles defense suffered a blow on Monday when linebacker Nakobe Dean reportedly suffered a torn kneecap and will miss the rest of the playoffs.

Dean left Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers on crutches after suffering a left knee injury in the second quarter. He limped off the pitch and was then wheeled to the dressing room.

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NFL Network reported that an MRI revealed the worst.

The Eagles selected Dean in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in all 17 games in his rookie year and missed the majority of the 2023 season with an injury.

He returned in 2024 to become a starting linebacker. He started 15 games and recorded 128 tackles and three sacks. He also had an interception, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. He emerged as a top defender on the team.

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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean gestures as he is carted off after an injury during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dean missed the final two games of the regular season with an abdominal injury.

Philadelphia hosts either the Minnesota Vikings or the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round next weekend.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, #8, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, #93, and Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, #17, during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

“We’re definitely playing him out there,” Eagles linebacker Oren Burks, filling in for Dean on defense, said after Sunday’s game. “We’re going to miss him. We don’t know what the situation is, but this is a next-man-up mentality.”