Nakobe Dean is set to return to the field after the Philadelphia Eagles opened his 21-day practice window. The announcement was made on Wednesday, following Dean’s recovery from a patellar tendon injury sustained during the 2024 Wild Card Round win against the Green Bay Packers. The injury had ended his season and led to him starting this year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which required him to miss at least the first four games.
Dean was recognized for his performance last season, where he graded as the second-best linebacker in the NFL from Weeks 6-18 according to Pro Football Focus, with only teammate Zack Baun ahead of him. In a notable game on November 3 against Jacksonville, Dean intercepted a pass from Trevor Lawrence in the end zone, securing a win for the Eagles. Over 15 starts last season, he achieved career highs in several categories: tackles (128), tackles for loss (9), quarterback pressures and hits (19), sacks (3), interceptions (1), forced fumbles (2), and fumble recoveries (1).
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio commented on Dean’s contribution: “He played great last year,” Fangio said Tuesday. “Besides being the signal-caller guy and being a leader, you can’t be a leader if you don’t play good and he played great for us last year. As far as where he is at now, either this week or next week, he’ll start his practice window and then we’ll see where he is at.”
In addition to opening Dean’s practice window, the Eagles signed outside linebacker Antwaun Powell-Ryland to their practice squad. Powell-Ryland was drafted by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech. In his final college season with Virginia Tech, he recorded 16 sacks—ranking third among all FBS players—and 19 tackles for loss. During preseason play with Philadelphia, Powell-Ryland continued to show promise by registering a sack and forcing a fumble in their finale against the New York Jets but was released during final roster cuts.
The move comes after recent changes left an open spot on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
