By

• Johnny McGonigal | [email protected]

PHILADELPHIA — Nakobe Dean had Wednesday circled on his calendar for more than a month. The Eagles linebacker even went to bed a half-hour earlier than he normally would on Tuesday night. Dean was that eager to suit up and step foot on the practice field.

Dean, one of the key playmakers and leaders on last year’s Super Bowl-winning roster, has waited a long time to return to action. The starting linebacker suffered a torn patellar tendon in January’s NFC Wild Card win over the Packers. Ever since, he’s been biding his time.

Dean found out ahead of August’s 53-man roster cutdown day that he would start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He was forced to miss four games, watching in street clothes as the Eagles eked out wins over the Cowboys, Chiefs, Rams and Buccaneers.

But now, Dean is back after the Eagles opened his 21-day practice window — and he feels as though he’s ready to play as early as Sunday against the Broncos.

“If you’re cleared and my practice window is open, I feel like I’m ready to fully go right now,” Dean said at the NovaCare Complex. “… They wouldn’t have activated my window if not.”

Dean’s impending return — whether it’s in Week 5 against Denver or not — is a boost to an Eagles defense that has dealt with injuries recently. Last week, starting edge rusher Nolan Smith was placed on injured reserve, as was cornerback Jakorian Bennett. And against the Bucs, reserve edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a long-term triceps injury.

Dean was immense for the Eagles last year, stepping into the starting middle linebacker role and thriving. He had 128 tackles, second on the team behind only Zack Baun. He added three sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a late-game interception vs. the Jaguars.

But Dean’s return also puts head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in a bit of a pickle. Baun, who’s still playing at an All-Pro level, isn’t leaving the field. And first-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell has shined through four games.

Dean, who is in the last year of his contract, was great in 2024 and kept a positive mindset while rehabbing. But realistically, on a defense that heavily utilizes two-linebacker looks, there might not be a starting spot for him to walk back into.

“Will it be hard for me? I mean, I’m controlling what I can control,” Dean said. “I’m out there practicing. That’s all I do. Control what I can control.”

Sirianni and Fangio were noncommittal earlier this week when discussing how they would handle Dean, Baun and Campbell all being available.

“We’ll see when we get there,” Fangio said Tuesday. “I don’t think we’re there yet.”

Fangio also poured cold water on the idea that Campbell, who flashed as a pass rusher at Alabama, could contribute as an edge rusher, allowing Baun and Dean to play linebacker.

“Not right now,” Fangio said.

Dean said his recent conversations with Fangio have been about the upcoming opponents, not how the Eagles will integrate all three linebackers.

“I know I can play,” Dean said. “I know we can go out there and ball. I control what I can control, continue to ball and continue to get better.”

Perhaps we’ll find out on Sunday when the Eagles face the Broncos how Fangio and Sirianni plan to use Dean, Baun and Campbell together.

Until then, everyone will have to do what Dean did for so long: wait.

Johnny covers the Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State football for PennLive. He has covered college football and Penn State professionally since 2016, with stops at the Centre Daily Times and Pittsburgh…