Eagles ‘Green-Dot’ LB Opens Practice Window, Returns to Practice Today

Philadelphia, PA — October 2, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles received a significant boost today as one of their defensive centerpieces is finally back on the field. The team officially opened Nakobe Dean’s practice window, signaling the end of a prolonged injury layoff and the start of his ramp-up toward game action.

The update arrives after weeks of uncertainty surrounding Dean’s recovery timeline. Fans and coaches alike had been waiting for clarity, and this step injects timely optimism as the regular season heats up.

Dean, the Eagles’ signal-calling linebacker and on-field “green-dot” communicator, began the year sidelined and was placed on injured reserve. Under NFL rules, once a player is designated to return from IR, the club has 21 days to evaluate him in practice before deciding whether to activate him to the 53-man roster.

A 2022 draft pick out of Georgia, Dean has been lauded for his instincts, range, and leadership—traits that helped anchor a national-title defense in college and quickly earned him trust in Philadelphia. When healthy, his burst and play recognition give the Eagles flexibility in both blitz and coverage looks, and his communication helps tie the front and back end together.

Injuries have interrupted that trajectory, raising fair questions about durability even as the upside remains clear. Today’s move offers the clearest path yet toward getting Dean’s impact back into the lineup.

Head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the momentum earlier this week. “We’re excited to get Nakobe back into drills and see how he responds day to day. It’s a big lift for the room,” he said, emphasizing the staff’s focus on workload management and performance benchmarks.

For a Philadelphia defense intent on tightening the screws as the schedule toughens, Dean’s return couldn’t be better timed. If he checks the right boxes over the next few practices, the Eagles could soon restore their defensive quarterback—and with him, a sharper identity in the middle of the field.