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Nakobe Dean Sends Message to Eagles Fans After Devastating Injury News

The young linebacker posted a message on social media after suffering a devastating knee injury.

By Jovan Alford

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Green Bay Packers v Philadelphia Eagles / Mitchell Leff/GettyImages
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The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a devastating blow to their defense in Sunday’s 22-10 wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles reportedly lost starting linebacker Nakobe Dean to a torn patellar tendon in his knee and he’ll miss the rest of the playoffs.

The third-year linebacker was carted off the field after making a tackle in the second quarter on Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. The Eagles felt the loss of Dean as Oren Burks stepped in right away and Green Bay attacked him in the passing game.

Dean had an outstanding 2024 season and looked like the linebacker we saw coming out of Georgia. The 24-year-old defender posted 128 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss, six QB hits, four pass deflections, three sacks, and an interception.

Before exiting Sunday’s playoff game, Dean had six combined tackles and two tackles for loss.

The young linebacker took to social media and posted a heartfelt message to the fanbase after it was reported that he’ll miss the rest of the playoffs.

“Ima be back better than ever God got me,” Dean said in an Instagram post. “But for rn (right now) job not finished. We got more business to handle #GoBirds.”

The Eagles not having Dean for next week’s game is crucial as they’ll depend on Burks and potentially rookie linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to make up for the loss. 

That said, it will be hard to fill the void left by Dean as he was outstanding in run defense (80.4 grade on PFF) and okay in pass coverage (59.6 grade on PFF) this season. If the Eagles play the Minnesota Vikings, you have to believe the game plan will feature T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones in the passing game to go at Burks or Trotter Jr.

The same could be said for the Los Angeles Rams, who could utilize standout running back Kyren Williams in the passing game. However, if the Eagles’ pass rusher can get to the QB, it will help mask the loss of one of their most improved players this season, who will be missed.

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