BREAKING: Eagles Confirms Major Familiar Face Signing to Replace Nakobe Dean Ahead of Rams Game
The Philadelphia Eagles made several roster adjustments ahead of their divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
The team placed starting linebacker Nakobe Dean on Injured Reserve following a knee injury sustained during their 22-10 wild card victory over the Green Bay Packers.
In response, the Eagles re-signed linebacker Nick Morrow to their practice squad on January 14. Morrow, who spent the entire 2023 season with Philadelphia, has yet to play in Vic Fangio’s defensive system but could see action this weekend with Dean sidelined.
At wide receiver, the Eagles signed Parris Campbell to the active roster and added Elijah Cooks to the practice squad. To make room, they released Joseph Ngata from the practice squad.
These moves reflect Philadelphia’s efforts to adapt to injuries and prepare for a critical playoff game.
Nakobe Dean’s Knee Injury Ends His Promising 2024 Campaign
Nakobe Dean’s 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles marked a turning point in his young NFL career. After battling injuries during his first two years, Dean established himself as a key player on the Eagles’ defense in his third season. Starting 15 games, he recorded 128 tackles, including 80 solo stops, showcasing his growth and reliability.
Dean’s impact extended beyond tackling. He forced a fumble, tallied 3.0 sacks, and proved effective against both the run and pass. One of his standout moments came in Week 9 when he secured a game-sealing interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars, highlighting his playmaking ability.
Unfortunately, Dean’s breakout year ended abruptly when he suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Eagles’ wild card win over the Green Bay Packers. The injury not only cut his season short but also raised concerns about his availability for the start of the 2025 season.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the loss of Dean’s leadership and playmaking. “Nakobe has had a great year,” Sirianni said on January 14. “As you guys saw in the reports, he’s going to be out, and we sure will miss him. He has made big plays all year long. … Got a lot of faith in the guys in that room, but we’ll for sure miss Nakobe.”
With Dean sidelined, the Eagles now face the challenge of adjusting their defense to fill the significant void left by his absence.
Eagles Re-Sign LB Nick Morrow Heading Into Playoff Game vs. Rams
Nick Morrow originally joined the Eagles in March 2023 after a standout 2022 season with the Chicago Bears, where he led the team with 116 tackles.
Despite his strong resume, Morrow was released during the Eagles’ final roster cuts in August 2023 but was quickly signed to their practice squad. His persistence was rewarded when he was promoted to the active roster in September following an injury to Nakobe Dean.
Morrow made the most of his opportunity, starting 12 of the 15 games he played in 2023. He tallied 95 total tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, showcasing his versatility and stepping up in the wake of the Eagles losing starting linebackers T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency.
After the 2023 season, Morrow’s time with the Eagles ended, and he signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills for 2024. He appeared in 11 games with the Bills during the regular season before being released early in the new year.
Now, Morrow has returned to Philadelphia, looking to make an impact once again as the Eagles navigate the absence of Nakobe Dean and adjust their linebacker corps.