Eagles LB Nakobe Dean headed to IR for a second time in 2023

Tough sledding for Eagles LB Nakobe Dean

Nakobe Dean started the season as Philadelphia’s starting MIKE Linebacker and was set to be the heartbeat of Sean Desai’s defense. He was placed on IR after just one game with a foot injury. It was speculated to be a Lisfranc setback at the time.

Dean then returned for the loss to the New York Jets and played in the next 3 games, tallying a career-high 13 tackles in 69% of snaps against the Commanders. Against the Cowboys, the Georgia All-American left the game prematurely with what looked like another foot injury and has now been confirmed as a Lisfranc setback once more.

It’s tough to say how serious this issue is, but consulting a specialist is absolutely the right move, and having a Bye week should at the very least give Dean a chance to return before the end of the season.

The second-year linebacker just hasn’t been able to get his feet under him this season, with foot injuries striking just as he begins to settle into a rhythm. However, the one positive to take is that the duo of Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow did fare pretty well in his absence. With the trade deadline now in the rear-view mirror, the Eagles will be leaning on both players to shoulder the load for the next few weeks at least.