On Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean returned to practice for the first time since suffering a torn patellar tendon during the team’s Wild Card Round victory over the Green Bay Packers. Dean, who began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, had been anticipating his eligibility to return on October 1.
“I knew I was going to be back. I knew how my body felt. I’ve been cleared for a good bit now, so I didn’t feel like I was apart from the team,” Dean said about his recovery and involvement with the team during his rehab. “I feel like I’m still on the team and I didn’t want to miss a beat. I literally did everything with the team other than practice and play. That was it.”
Dean described himself as an “optimistic realist” and explained that he used his time off the field to focus on learning more about defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system.
“Knowing the defense more, being in the second year of the same defense, you get a little bit more detailed, a little bit more intricate in the scheme of things,” he said.
Fangio commented on Dean’s return: “He played great last year. 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.”
Dean participated in practice in a limited capacity.
The Eagles’ only player not participating in Wednesday’s session was tight end Dallas Goedert due to a knee injury. Goedert previously missed Week 2 against Kansas City with a knee issue; however, it remains unclear if this is related to his current absence. In Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay, Goedert recorded four receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
Tackle Lane Johnson left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury but was able to participate on Wednesday in limited fashion. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson also returned as a limited participant after missing last week’s game with a groin injury.
Other Eagles listed as limited participants included defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder).
For Denver Broncos, tight end Nate Adkins did not practice because of concussion protocol following last week’s performance against Cincinnati where he had two catches for five yards. Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (thumb) and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (hip/ankles) were both limited participants in Wednesday’s session while outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (wrist) and former Eagles inside linebacker Alex Singleton (thumb) practiced fully.
