Ahead of their Week 6 divisional matchup against the Giants on Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles received some long-awaited good news on the injury front. After missing the first five games of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, LB Nakobe Dean is set to make his season debut against New York.
Dean suffered a serious knee injury late last season and has been recovering since. He missed all of training camp rehabbing and was placed on the PUP list to open the season, mandating that he’d miss the first four games of the season, if not more. According to Matt Zenitz, Dean is expected to have a limited role tonight against the Giants, but he’ll be slowly ramped back up over the next few weeks until he’s fully back with no limitations.
The Eagles have a deep group of linebackers. Zack Baun is one of the best in the league and rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell has been an early standout. Behind them, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. have both impressed in more limited roles, with Trotter in particular pushing Campbell hard for a starting spot throughout training camp and the preseason. It’s unclear how the Eagles’ coaching staff intends for Dean to factor into the lineup, but they seem to have a planned role for him, at least initially.
Philadelphia Eagles LB Nakobe Dean’s Return is a Boost for the Defense
Mitchell Leff/GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Nakobe Dean #17 and Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts as they play the Washington Commanders in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
A fourth-year pro out of Georgia, Dean fell to the third round in the 2022 draft due to some injury and size concerns coming out of college. He’s listed at 5-11, but that hasn’t slowed him down in the league. Despite some lingering injuries from his days at Georgia, Dean played in all 17 games as a rookie, though much of that was on special teams. He stepped into a larger role in 2023, although an injury shortened his season to just five games.
Dean entered the 2024 season as one of the starters at linebacker, and he and Baun made for arguably the best linebacker duos in the league. In 15 games, he had 128 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and four passes defensed. He stuffed the stat sheet in every way imaginable, making plays all over Philadelphia’s defense.
While his expected role next to Baun and Campbell is somewhat in flux, what’s undeniable is Dean’s skill. Having too many good linebackers is an enviable problem for the Eagles to have.
The Philadelphia Eagles Are Still Waiting on More Defenders to Return
Dean’s return is excellent news, but the Eagles are still down some important pieces on defense. CB Jakorian Bennett, ED Ogbo Okoronkwo, and ED Nolan Smith Jr. are still on Injured Reserve (IR) and are not expected to return for some time.
It shouldn’t be surprising that cornerback and pass rusher are the Eagles’ biggest weaknesses right now. Short of adding new pieces via trade, Philly will have to wait some time for their guys to recover.
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