Nakobe Dean earned All-Pro votes with his performance this season. Now, the Eagles linebacker will work to rehab from a torn patellar tendon he suffered in Sunday’s 22-10 win over Green Bay.
Ian Rapoport reports that Dean could miss part of the 2025 season while rehabbing and is indeed out for the remainder of these playoffs.
#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
Dean has now had two of his three NFL seasons end due to injury, but he outplayed Devin White this summer and had transformed himself into one of the league’s top downhill linebackers.
The patellar tendon is a thick band of connective tissue that connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). A key part of the knee allows you to straighten your leg when you walk, run, or play sports.
A mild patellar tendon tear can take several weeks to heal, while a complete rupture may require several months to a year. It often involves surgery and extensive physical therapy to recover fully.
Before the injury, Dean led the Eagles with six tackles and two tackles for loss. With Dean out, veteran linebacker Oren Burks will get snaps opposite Zack Baun.
Dean will finish this season with 128 tackles, three sacks, four passes defended, and an interception. Oren Burks will move into a starting role in his absence, while Jeremiah Trotter Jr. could see snaps.
