PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Injuries shortened DeMeco Ryans’ NFL career but they couldn’t take his football acumen away and the former Eagles’ linebacker has started his post-playing career by joining the staff of Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.

The 32-year-old, two-time Pro Bowl selection was named a defensive quality control coach under new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Both Shanahan and Saleh were on the Houston coaching staff when Ryans started his NFL career with the Texans.

The Eagles released Ryan on Feb. 24 last year after 10 NFL seasons and the veteran was unable to catch on elsewhere as he lost most of his explosion as a player after two Achilles injuries.

Ryans spent his first six seasons in Houston before being traded to the Eagles in 2012. He quickly developed into the team’s defensive leader and was pivotal in mentoring Jordan Hicks during his rookie season in 2015.

Former Eagles coach Chip Kelly famously llabeledRyans "Mufasa" and always claimed the University of Alabama product would make a great coach.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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