With defensive signal caller Dean done for the postseason with a patellar tendon injury, who will step up in Vic Fangio's defense?

PHILADELPHIA -- There aren't many players more respected in the Philadelphia Eagles locker room than Nakobe Dean. When the linebacker got carted off the field with a knee injury against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card round, his teammates could only rally for him -- knowing all Dean has been through.

With Oren Burks likely to assume the starting linebacker role and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. expected to see more playing time in Dean’s absence, the Eagles not only need experienced depth in case of further injuries within the position group but also someone to fill key special teams assignments.