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Dennis Allen was the Saints’ head coach when they drafted D’Marco Jackson in the fifth round 2022. He coached him through three seasons with the Saints before the Bears, citing his familiarity with Allen’s defense, claimed him in August.
So no, the defensive coordinator wasn’t surprised when Jackson led the Bears with 15 tackles Sunday against the Steelers, forced into action when the Bears’ top four linebackers were injured.
Jackson knew early last week he’d be filling in for middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, whom the Bears eventually put on injured reserve with a groin injury, and began preparing as such.