LANDOVER, Md. - The Eagles’ defense took an early hit in Week 16 when linebacker Nakobe Dean exited the game with a hamstring injury. He’s officially listed as questionable to return, but the sight of him heading to the locker room after a stint in the blue medical tent wasn’t exactly encouraging.
Dean, 25, went down awkwardly in the first quarter and didn’t return to the field before halftime. The injury comes at a tough time - not just for Dean, but for a Philly defense that had started to find its rhythm with him back in the lineup.
Rookie Jihaad Campbell stepped in to fill the void. The first-round pick began the season as the starter alongside Zack Baun while Dean was on the PUP list.
But once Dean returned in Week 7, he didn’t just slide back into the rotation - he took over. And he’s been playing like the difference-maker the Eagles hoped he’d be when they drafted him.
In his eight games this season, Dean has racked up 53 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, and 2 forced fumbles. That’s the kind of production that speaks to both sideline-to-sideline speed and an ability to create havoc in the backfield - exactly what Vic Fangio’s defense thrives on. Dean’s return earlier this year helped stabilize the second level of the defense, and his playmaking instincts have been on full display.
To be fair, Campbell didn’t lose his job because of poor performance. He held his own early in the year, showing flashes of the athleticism and awareness that made him a first-rounder. But Dean’s return pushed him into a rotational role, and over the last two weeks, Fangio has been easing Campbell back into the mix - giving him 15 defensive snaps after he was shut out of the rotation against Chicago.
Now, with Dean sidelined again, Campbell has another opportunity to show what he can do. It’s a big moment for the rookie, but also a potentially pivotal one for the Eagles, who are looking to maintain defensive consistency heading into the final stretch of the season.
Dean’s status will be one to watch closely. His impact on this defense goes beyond the stat sheet - he’s been the communicator, the tone-setter, and a rising leader. If he’s forced to miss time, Campbell will need to step up fast, and Fangio will have to recalibrate a unit that had just started to click.