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Eagles activate Nakobe Dean before Giants game

Dean, who has been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon, isn’t expected to assume the same starting workload upon his return.

Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in the wild-card round against the Packers.
Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in the wild-card round against the Packers.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer

The Eagles are activating inside linebacker Nakobe Dean (knee) from the physically unable to perform list ahead of their game against the New York Giants on Thursday night.

Dean, 24, had been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in the wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles opened his 21-day practice window last week.

» READ MORE: Eagles vs. Giants predictions: Our writers pick a winner for Week 6

The 5-foot-11, 231-pound inside linebacker was a key piece of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX-winning defense under Vic Fangio. In 15 games last season, he posted a game-sealing interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars, plus four pass breakups, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, and 128 tackles (including nine for losses).

But Dean isn’t expected to assume the same starting workload upon his return. On Tuesday, Fangio said Dean wouldn’t have a “full-time role yet” given his lack of practice time. Additionally, Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell have been playing at a high level at inside linebacker.

The Eagles have elevated defensive tackle Gabe Hall from the practice squad to the game-day roster. His elevation is noteworthy given that Jalen Carter popped up on the injury report with a heel injury on Wednesday. Carter, the 24-year-old defensive tackle, is listed as questionable to play.

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With the Eagles’ season gradually going up in flames, there’s been plenty of external fingerpointing. The offense, specifically the line, has drawn considerable ire, especially in light of the Eagles parting ways with longtime, beloved assistant coach Jeff Stoutland. Stoutland’s track record on the offensive line is Hall of Fame-worthy. This year, with Chris Kuper as Stoutland’s replacement, the line has regressed.

Should Kuper shoulder most of the blame? What really happened between Stoutland and the Eagles that caused their relationship to fall apart? The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane dives deeper into one of the biggest “what ifs” from a frustrating season, framing Stoutland’s exit around four key questions. Listen here.

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