The Eagles might’ve walked away with a 29-18 win over the Commanders, but they didn’t escape unscathed. Linebacker Nakobe Dean exited early in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and didn’t return.
That opened the door for rookie Jihaad Campbell, who stepped in and made the most of his opportunity-finishing with six tackles and a tackle for loss. Not bad for a player who had barely seen the field over the past month and a half.
Now, with the Bills on deck, the Eagles are facing a decision. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called Dean’s availability for Sunday “iffy,” and that’s putting it mildly.
Even though the injury isn’t expected to be a long-term issue, the smart play might be to hold Dean out a bit longer. With the postseason looming, the Eagles can’t afford to gamble on a re-aggravation that could sideline one of their top defenders in January.
Dean’s impact on this defense has been undeniable. Since stepping into the starting role last month, he’s racked up 55 tackles and four sacks-numbers that only tell part of the story.
His presence has helped tighten up the Eagles’ run defense and added some juice to their blitz packages. Losing him now, even temporarily, shifts the dynamic.
That’s where Campbell comes in. The rookie flashed real potential against Washington, and he might be in line for more meaningful snaps if Dean isn’t ready to go. It’s a big ask, especially against a Bills offense that can be unpredictable and explosive, but it’s also a chance for Campbell to show he belongs in the rotation beyond just a fill-in role.
There’s more on the injury front. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who’s missed the last three games, was back on the practice field Tuesday.
That’s a promising sign for a unit that’s been missing some of its interior punch. Meanwhile, right tackle Lane Johnson (out the last five games) and Dean were both sidelined, not practicing.
Right guard Landon Dickerson was also working off to the side.
The Eagles are clearly in a balancing act right now-trying to stay aggressive in the final stretch of the season while keeping their key players healthy for the games that really matter. If Dean isn’t 100%, it might be wiser to let Campbell take the reins for another week. Because come playoff time, they’ll need Dean at full strength.