Nakobe Dean could miss start of 2025 season after tearing his patellar tendon

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean could miss start of 2025 season after tearing his patellar tendon in win over the Packers

Nakobe Dean earned All-Pro votes with his performance this season. Now, the Eagles linebacker will work to rehab from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in Sunday’s 22-10 win over Green Bay.

Ian Rapoport reports that Dean could miss part of the 2025 season while rehabbing and is indeed out for the remainder of these playoffs.

Dean has now had two of his three NFL seasons end due to injury, but he outplayed Devin White this summer and had transformed himself into one of the league’s top downhill linebackers.

The patellar tendon is a thick band of connective tissue that connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). A key part of the knee allows you to straighten your leg when you walk, run, or play sports.

A mild patellar tendon tear can take several weeks to heal, while a complete rupture may require several months to a year. It often involves surgery and extensive physical therapy to recover fully.

Before the injury, Dean led the Eagles with six tackles and two tackles for loss. With Dean out, veteran linebacker Oren Burks will get snaps opposite Zack Baun.

Dean will finish this season with 128 tackles, three sacks, four passes defended, and an interception. Oren Burks will move into a starting role in his absence, while Jeremiah Trotter Jr. could see snaps.

Nakobe Dean injury update: Latest news on Eagles linebacker

Ian Rapoport reports that Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is feared to have suffered a significant knee injury that would knock him for the playoffs

The Eagles advanced to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, and they’ll likely complete their journey without Nakobe Dean.

Philadelphia’s talented third-year linebacker is feared to have suffered a significant knee injury that could keep him out of the playoffs and impact the 2025 season.

Dean was carted off after making a tackle late in the second quarter in the wild-card win over Green Bay.

Before the injury, Dean led the Eagles with six tackles and two tackles for loss. With Dean out, veteran linebacker Oren Burks will get snaps opposite Zack Baun.

If his season is over, Dean will have finished with 128 tackles, three sacks, four passes defended, and an interception.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 10-0 lead over the Packers

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two …

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two interceptions.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Nakobe Dean to a knee injury and will look to finish drives and capitalize on Packers turnovers.

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first half.

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Nakobe Dean carted off from Eagles wild card game vs. Packers with a knee injury

Nakobe Dean carted off from Eagles wild card game vs. Packers with a knee injury

The Eagles hold a 10-0 lead over the Packers, but they are taking hits on the defensive side of the football.  Darius Slay exited with an elbow injury, but he looks to be returning to the game.  Still, one of their most important defenders, Nakobe Dean, could be lost for this game and potentially longer.

Dean was carted off after making a tackle late in the second quarter against Green Bay.

Before the injury, Dean led the Eagles with six tackles and two tackles for loss. With Dean out, veteran linebacker Oren Burks will get snaps opposite Zack Baun.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys

It was another disastrous first quarter, but the Eagles’ defense found their footing, and Kenny Pickett discovered a connection with DeVonta Smith. Buoyed by two C.J. Gardner-Johnson interceptions, Philadelphia found their rhythm and held a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys in the first half.

An Eagles win Locks up the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the conference while allowing Jalen Hurts another week to recover from his concussion.

With the second half set to begin, here are ten takeaways from the first half.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

A solid backup quarterback is the most important thing to an NFL team, and Kenny Pickett finally had his moment after Jalen Hurts was forced to exit with a concussion. The former Steelers first-round pick had one ugly interception but made some big throws as Philadelphia went into the half with a 2-14 lead.

An Eagles win would give Nick Sirianni, the head coach, his second NFC East title in four years.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Vic Fangio references Allen Iverson when discussing Eagles ‘Practice’ habits

Vic Fangio says “You practice, you play better, in spite of what Allen Iverson said,” when asked about Eagles’ practice habits

Some 24 years ago, Allen Iverson sat in front of a pack media contingent covering his Philadelphia 76ers playoff exit, and the future Hall of Famer mouthed the word “practice” 22 times.

“We sitting in here — I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen: We talking about practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last. Not the game. We talking about practice, man.”

The now famous rant was less about his postseason performance and more about grief, as Iverson still suffered from the death of his best friend. Rahsaan Langeford was shot and killed seven months earlier, an event with which Iverson struggled to cope.

Fast-forward to December 3, 2024, and the Eagles defensive coordinator references the 76ers Hall of Fame guard when describing Philadelphia’s practice habits and the incredible improvement from his No. 1 ranked unit.

Since the Week 5 bye and their Week 6 win, the Eagles are first in yards allowed per game (241.3), first in yards per play allowed (4.1), first in yards per attempt allowed (5.6), first in sacks (30), first in sack rate (10.6%) second in passer rating allowed (78.1), and second in points per game allowed (15.3).

Philadelphia has also improved its tackling and defensive efficiency, something that Fangio can take credit for since he’s responsible for the Eagles’ increased practice habits after having one of the lightest workloads over the past few years.

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Georgia LB selected as Butkus Award finalist

Georgia Bulldogs junior linebacker Jalon Walker named finalist for Butkus Award

Georgia Bulldogs junior linebacker Jalon Walker has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker, per the Butkus Foundation.

Walker, a Salisbury, North Carolina, native, is joined along with Clemson’s Barrett Carter, Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr., UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger, and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman as finalists. The winner will be announced on Dec. 10.

Walker is the first Georgia player to be named a finalist since Jamon Dumas-Johnson in 2022. Former Bulldogs standout and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean won the award in 2021 after also receiving the high school version of the honor.

This season, Walker ranks fourth on the team with 48 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and tied first with 5.5 sacks. Splitting time between inside and outside linebacker, he has also recovered two fumbles and has been a key leader on a Georgia defense that has allowed just 37 total points in the fourth quarter all season.

The Bulldogs (9-2, 6-2 SEC) will host Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3 ACC) in their regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 29. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

Saquon Barkley runs the Rams out of SoFi Stadium, carrying the Eagles to their 7th straight win

A sea of Eagles fans took over SoFi Stadium, carrying Philadelphia to its 7th straight win on Sunday night as Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night

The Eagles are 9-2 and have won seven straight games after Saquon Barkley exploded in the running game, and A.J. Brown was dominant in the passing game. Philadelphia put the league on notice with a 37-20 win at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

If not for a late Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, Philadelphia would have exited Los Angeles with a 37-14 road win just seven days before a monster matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.

Barkley rushed for 255 yards on the night and had 302 total yards of offense in a game that saw A.J. Brown log 109 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven targets.

Eagles’ injury news and updates ahead of Week 11 vs. Commanders

The Philadelphia Eagles released their Wednesday injury report and DeVonta Smith was a limited participant while four others practiced fully

The Eagles held another walkthrough on Wednesday, preparing for a massive Thursday night matchup against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.

One of the NFL’s healthier teams just got healthier with the news that Jordan Mailata would return to the lineup after being activated off injured reserve.

It’s an estimated injury report, but if the Eagles practiced today, Nakobe Dean (groin), Darius Slay (ankle), Bryce Huff (wrist), and Dallas Goedert (ankle) would have all been full participants.

Marshon Lattimore, acquired from the Saints at the trade deadline, will have to wait until after the mini-bye to make his Washington debut. Lattimore has been ruled out.

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