Perhaps no player on the Philadelphia Eagles has been as dominant this season as linebacker Zack Baun.
No player will be under the microscope more than Baun when the Eagles and Rams face off against each other in the divisional round on Sunday.
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean celebrating interception
© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
While Baun's All-Pro 2024 campaign has been nothing short of dominant, the Birds will need even more of him now due to the loss of his linebacker running mate Nakobe Dean.
Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during Sunday's wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers - leaving the Eagles with just Baun when it comes to experienced linebackers on the team.
The injury has rocked the entire defense to their core with Baun understanding his increased role on the team now.
“My heart breaks. He is a tough guy. The way he was able to hold it in emotionally & he knew what was going on," Baun said. "This team is going to miss him. He’s a leader on the defense.”
It's not just the linebacker room that has felt Dean's loss.
The rest of the defense knows how much the Georgia standout will be missed moving forward.
"He's one of the true leaders on this defense," said cornerback Darius Slay. "I know I got the 'C' on my chest, but if there is someone I want to give my [captaincy] to, it's him."
Dean's absence will be hit hard moving forward for the top-ranked defense in the league.
In the case of Baun, the pressure will only ramp up on him to dominate in a way few linebackers have done before in league history.
