At a Glance
- Nakobe Dean rejoins the Eagles’ playoff push one year after tearing his patellar tendon in the wild-card win over the Packers
- The 25-year-old linebacker reclaimed his starting role in Week 7 and posted 55 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles in half a season
- Dean is expected to play Sunday despite a recent hamstring tweak that sidelined him the final two regular-season games
- Why it matters: His comeback could be his last in midnight green-he’s set for free agency, making this postseason run pivotal for his future
One year after watching the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX from the sideline, Nakobe Dean is back in the middle of the defense as Philadelphia opens another playoff campaign.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Dean’s 2024 playoffs ended after 23 snaps when he tore his patellar tendon during the 22-10 wild-card victory over Green Bay. The linebacker spent the rest of the postseason rehabbing while his teammates hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
> “It means a lot. I wouldn’t expect nothing less. But it’s a grind. It’s a day-by-day grind, not looking forward. Just being present and taking it a day at a time.”
Nakobe Dean on returning to the postseason
Road Back to the Field
- Started 2025 on the PUP list while finishing knee rehab
- Returned to practice in Week 7 and immediately regained starting MLB job from rookie Jihaad Campbell
- Produced 7 tackles for loss, 6 QB hits in nine games
- Missed Weeks 17-18 with a minor hamstring injury but practiced fully Wednesday
Contract Cloud Looms
Dean’s breakout half-season comes at a critical time: he’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency this spring. A deep playoff run could boost his market value just as negotiations heat up.
> “I do feel like I’m constantly getting better. The more ball I play, the better I see it, the more I understand it.”
Nakobe Dean on his improvement since returning
Key Takeaways
- Dean’s comeback season ranks among the NFL’s best injury-return stories of 2025
- His 55 tackles in 9 games project to 98+ over a full season, eclipsing his pre-injury pace
- The Eagles defense allowed 3.2 fewer points per game with Dean on the field after Week 7
- Sunday’s wild-card matchup could determine whether Philadelphia views him as a cornerstone worth top-linebacker money
Dean’s next playoff snap comes exactly 365 days after his last one ended in injury-this time he plans to finish what he started.
