Former Georgia Bulldog linebacker Nakobe Dean is set to make his season debut in the NFL after recovering from a knee injury.
A Georgia Bulldog in the NFL is making his season debut. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean has fully recovered from his knee injury, being a full participant in practice. He is expected to play on Thursday Night Football vs. the New York Giants in Week 6.
Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in Philadelphia's wild card win over the Green Bay Packers last season. The injury took him out for the rest of the postseason and for five weeks of the 2025 season.
It cut short a breakout season for Dean. After he was selected in the third-round of the 2022 NFL draft, it took him three years to become a starting linebacker with the Eagles.
Once Dean became a starter, he blossomed. Dean totaled the second most tackles (128) and third-most tackles for loss (nine) among all Eagles defensive players. He also earned 3 1/2 sacks on the season too.
Dean will take his spot on an Eagles team with seven former Georgia Bulldogs on the defensive side of the ball. Nolan Smith (on IR), Smael Mondon, and Azeez Ojulari will play alongside Dean in the linebacker room, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are starting defensive tackles, and Kelee Ringo is a depth cornerback.
Overall, the Eagles lead all NFL teams in former Georgia Bulldogs, and that feeds into their defense being an elite unit.
Former Georgia Bulldogs on the Eagles
- Linebacker Nakobe Dean
- Cornerback Kelee Ringo
- Linebacker Smael Mondon
- Defensive lineman Jordan Davis
- Defensive lineman Jalen Carter
- Edge Nolan Smith
- Edge Azeez Ojulari
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former Georgia Bulldog LB set to return from gruesome knee injury
Category: General Sports
