Eagles Transactions: Nakobe Dean Lost For Season With Torn Patellar Tendon

The Eagles are moving on to the Divisional round after an end-to-end defeat of Green Bay in the Wild Card Round on Sunday.

For Philadelphia, there was just one major injury concern to come out of the game: Nakobe Dean was carted off and quickly ruled out with a knee injury.

A third-round pick in the 2022 draft, Dean has finally had a breakout year in 2024 after his first season as a starter (2023) did not go as planned.

2024 was a breakout year for him, taking the reins with Zack Baun as the starting linebacker duo. That season comes to an early end, however.

#Eagles LB Nakobe Dean, at the tail end of a breakout season, suffered torn patellar tendon in his knee and is out for the playoffs, per me and @MikeGarafolo.

A tough blow for Philly and for Dean, who has a long road to recovery. He’ll likely miss the start of next season. pic.twitter.com/xtNdv5ttEQ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2025

With a torn patellar tendon, he won’t play again this season.

Unfortunately, the best ability is availability in the NFL and a foot and subsequent Lisfranc injury in 2023 limited his play time severely and he’s dealt with multiple injuries this season (though he hasn’t missed too much time). With that history, it isn’t great to see him suffer what could probably his third or fourth severe injury of his only two-year (actually playing time, that is) pro career.

2025 would be the final year of Dean’s contract, so this injury could severely hurt his future contract discussions and what he might be able to get in free agency (were he to reach that). It could similarly force the Eagles to pivot entirely to Zack Baun as the linebacker they look to maintain longer-term instead of Dean if they choose to only prioritize one.

This offseason would also be his first time being eligible for an extension.

In 15 games during the regular season this year, Dean recorded 128 tackles, three sacks, four defensed passes, a forced fumble, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

He should probably be ready to go by next season, though may start camp limited.

The Eagles have Oren Burks and Jerimah Trotter as the likely replacements. Unfortunately, this would be where Ben VanSumeren would have been critical, too, but he is also on IR.

Dallas Gant and Ochaun Mathis are the linebackers on the practice squad. Brandon Smith had spent the beginning of the season with the team, but is now with the Raiders and unavailable.