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Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean is expected to be sidelined three weeks with a hamstring injury, a league source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday.
DeJean, the 40th overall pick in April’s draft, sustained the injury when he was caught in an awkward position during offseason training, the source said. He will begin training camp on the non-football injury list (NFI) but the Eagles are confident in a quick recovery and that he will contribute as expected this season.
This injury is unrelated to any previous one; DeJean suffered a fractured fibula during a November practice for Iowa and underwent surgery. After months of rehab, he held a pro day in April and ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.
DeJean was widely projected to be picked in the first round. When he dropped, the Eagles moved up in the second round to land him.
DeJean, a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2023, totaled seven interceptions and 13 passes defensed over the past two seasons for Iowa while also making an impact as a punt returner.
He played multiple positions at the college level and that versatility was on display this spring, as he lined up both at outside corner and at nickel for the Eagles during their offseason training program.
Philadelphia also drafted corner Quinyon Mitchell in the first round to help a secondary that finished 31st in passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed in 2023. If healthy, DeJean has a chance to push for playing time immediately.