Eagles LB Nakobe Dean shares hilarious encounter with die-hard Philly fan

Dean, who had dealt with injuries last year, said he doesn't take all of the criticism to heart. 

"I embrace it. I embrace everything," Dean said. "Philly fans, they talk sh*t. We talk sh*t back to them if we want to. ...I probably won't give them no time of day on social media." 

Dean Riddled with Injuries in Year 2

Dean was projected to have a breakout season in 2023, but injuries kept him from doing that as he landed on injured reserve twice last fall.

His first injury happened to his right foot during the season opener against the New England Patriots, which kept him out until Week 6. He was available for four weeks until he landed on injured reserve with a left foot injury again following the Eagles' Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

He did not return after undergoing surgery.

Through five games, the former 2022 third-round pick out of Georgia logged 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a half sack for the Eagles.

Dean has since fully recovered from surgery and was a full participant during Wednesday's OTA practice. 

The Eagles noted back in January that despite Dean's injury setbacks, they fully expect him to take on a large role in 2024 as one of their starting inside linebackers. 

 “I have a lot of belief, and I know coach [Nick Sirianni] does, as well, in Nakobe Dean,” Eagles general manager Roseman said during his press conference. “I believe in the player. I believe in the person. We lost two linebackers at that spot, two good players from our Super Bowl team and we had Nakobe waiting in the wings. We drafted him for that role. Obviously, it didn’t work out perfectly for him this year. That doesn’t change the belief we have in the player.”

The Eagles also have Devin White, Oren Burks, Ben VanSumeren, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. competing for an inside linebacker job this offseason.