Philadelphia Eagles LB Nakobe Dean 'Football Junkie' During Injury Rehab

The Philadelphia Eagles have been winning without young linebacker Nakobe Dean who coach Nick Sirianni described as a "football junkie" while rehabbing a foot injury.

At 5-0, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of two teams in the NFL to hold an undefeated record heading into Week 6.

Along with the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles are off to a strong start as they look to repeat as NFC representatives in the Super Bowl for a second straight season. 

Of course, before the Eagles can worry about that big game they have to approach each game as the biggest in order to stay undefeated until they get to face San Francisco on December 3rd. This might be the heaviest of heavyweight bouts this NFL season.

Helping them get there should be young linebacker Nakobe Dean, but a foot injury has taken him off the field since Week 2 and has his status in doubt moving forward as the defense has performed well without him.

"We don't have to make that decision on starting right at this particular time," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said when asked if Dean would have a starting job waiting for him when he is able to return to play. "Do we have a plan in our head? Obviously, I think that's something that we keep tight though for a competitive advantage."

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) has been around the team plenty while rehabbing a foot injury and is described by coach Nick Sirianni as a 'football junkie' / © Bill Streicher, USA TODAY

It certainly makes sense for Sirianni and Philadelphia to not reveal the plan for Dean's return until that time comes. 

Of course, that time could be relatively soon as the linebacker has been practicing in a limited capacity this week leading up to the Eagles' contest against the New York Jets.

Nobody would be surprised to see Dean at least slowly folded back into the defense when he does return as injuries that take weeks to heal often take players out of an in-season rhythm, especially young ones. 

The good news for Philadelphia, however, is that Sirianni says Dean has done everything they've asked and more to stay mentally sharp while his body gets back to football shape.

"You don't have to ask much of him," Sirianni said of Dean. "He wants to be around at all times. He's a football junkie. Always trying to be around it. You saw that he was at the game. Sometimes you don't always take guys to the away games. He really wanted to be there. He was great on the sideline."

Invested, tuned in, and staying up to speed so he doesn't have to get there when his foot allows him back onto the field.

The Eagles are winning without him, but they'd love to have the opportunity to win with him again, and clearly, Dean is anxious to take advantage of his next chance to make plays for his team.