Eagles Open 21 Day Practice Window For Nakobe Dean
The Eagles announced today that they opened the 21 day practice window for LB Nakobe Dean.
Dean, who suffered a foot injury during the season opener against the New England Patriots, was placed on injured reserve following the season opener. Players are eligible to have the practice window opened after spending four weeks on the injured reserve list. By opening the practice window, the Eagles have 21 days from today to decide whether to elevate him to the 53 man roster or to return him to the injured reserve list. A corresponding roster move is not required as a space exists on the 53 man roster for Dean due to G/C Cam Jurgens being placed on the injured reserve last week. If Dean is returned to the injured reserve list, Dean will be ineligible to be returned to the active roster for the rest of the season.
The hole left by Dean has been filled by Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow. Cunningham is tied with Reed Blankenship at 33 combined tackles through five weeks, though Cunningham has more assisted tackles than Blankenship does. Cunningham also has a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery on the season.
Morrow, who started the season on the practice squad, checks in at 21 combined tackles on the season. Morrow has also been a monster at getting to the quarterback; he has three sacks on the season, four quarterback hits, and six tackles for a loss. He also has forced a fumble.
Players were getting used to hearing Dean’s voice all training camp, and it was clear that they were adjusting to hearing him direct the defense on the field.
“It’s a new voice,” commented DE Fletcher Cox during training camp. “You get used to hearing Nakobe, and he’s a little more soft-spoken, so you’ve got to pay attention and get used to it.”
Players will likely have to re-adjust again to Dean’s voice during practice in advance of a possible game appearance. The Eagles will have to decide by Saturday at 4 PM if Dean is ready to play against the New York Jets.
