The Philadelphia Eagles are expecting LB Nakobe Dean to return to the field in Week 6. Per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports, the Eagles anticipate Dean to make his debut against the New York Giants after rehabbing his way back from a torn patellar tendon.
His workload is going to be limited in his first game since January, but he is someone that fans should expect to be on the field. While that's good news for the Eagles' defense, that's bad news for second-year LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Nakone Dean’s Return Is Bad News for Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The Eagles already have a top-notch LB duo in Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. Baun has played in all 333 defensive snaps this season, while Campbell is right behind him at 318 defensive snaps. Meanwhile, Trotter Jr. has only played in one defensive snap. The bulk of his total reps have come on special teams (113 total snaps), and it seems that will continue.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was asked how he'll work Dean in with both Baun and Campbell. He responded, "We'll figure it out," according to Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal.
That's something that Fangio has to think about, considering Dean posted career-highs last season in total tackles (128), tackles for loss (9), and pass deflections (4). He was one of their most consistent defenders at the second level, and they're going to ease him back in.
With three players ahead of Trotter Jr. on the depth chart, his chances of getting on the field are slim to none. Before Dean was even back, Trotter Jr. wasn't a part of the LB rotation. This is a step back from just a year ago, when he played in 10% of the defensive snaps in 2024 (104 total snaps), logging 25 total tackles and one pass breakup across 17 games.
As we move deeper into October, it's becoming clear that Trotter Jr. will be a core special teamer but won't be in line for any meaningful playing time for this defense. Baun, Campbell, and Dean will chew up all the available reps at LB.
While that's a disappointing development for Trotter Jr., that's the right decision. Those three players have proven their productivity at this level and have earned the right to play significant reps. Not to discredit Trotter Jr. or his play, he simply isn't a better defender than the three players ahead of him on the depth chart at this time.