Eagles LB Nakobe Dean Not Taking Game for Granted Amid Injuries

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean wants to be better than ever next season.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is ready to make his next season his best after his second year in the NFL was cut short due to injury. 

Dean suffered multiple injuries during the 2023 season, but it was a Lisfranc injury that required surgery that ended his year. 

Nakobe Dean collected a career-high 30 tackles in 2023 / USA TODAY Sports

“Being a guy that never missed a practice, never missed a game, and then now I get hurt twice — the right foot and the left foot — you learn that the game can be taken from you like that," Dean said. "But you also learn where my foundation lies as a man. So, I know the game can be taken from you like that, but I know what I’m founded on — my family and my faith — and it won’t throw me off my pivots."

The 23-year-old linebacker finished his second season with five games played, collecting 30 tackles, two tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, all of which were career-highs despite playing in all 17 games his rookie season. 

The Eagles drafted him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia where he was one of the most effective players in college football. In his final year at Georgia, he tallied 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. 

Kelce Discusses Disney World, Tough Season, But Not Retirement?

Dean will have plenty of time to work on getting healthy with Philadelphia's season being cut short after a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Round.