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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean.
While the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs might be out of reach for the Philadelphia Eagles, what’s not out of reach is having as close to 100 percent of their starting lineup on the field when they finally do start the postseason.
That’s going to require another week of rest — at least — for 2 of their best players as inside linebacker Nakobe Dean (hamstring) and NFL All-Pro right offensive tackle Lane Johnson (foot) have been ruled out for a Week 17 road game against the Buffalo Bills.
“Lane Johnson and Nakobe Dean are both OUT vs. Buffalo,” Word on the Birds wrote on X on Saturday, December 27.
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs by winning the NFC East Division for the second consecutive year — the first team to win consecutive NFC East titles in 20 years.
“Dean injured his hamstring in last week’s game against the Washington Commanders,” ESPN’s Tim McManus wrote on December 26. “He has been a difference-maker in the middle of Vic Fangio’s defense … Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler, has been sidelined since exiting a Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions with a Lisfranc injury.”
Dean Almost One Year Removed From Playoff Injury
Dean’s injury struggles come almost at the one year anniversary of when he suffered a catastrophic injury in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Green Bay Packers, tearing his patellar tendon following a breakout regular season.
Dean was carted off the field with an apparent lower leg injury in the first half as he tackled Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft.
“Hate seeing Nakobe Dean go down,” CBS Sports commentator and Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty wrote on his official X account. “The most underrated guy on this defense and probably most improved player on this team from last season. Zach Baun called him the leader of the defense, signal caller and a guy who doesn’t get the credit he deserves!”
The Eagles drafted an inside linebacker in the first round with Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, who will re-take his place in the starting lineup that Dean took from Campbell after he missed the first 5 games of the regular season recovering from injury.
“There’s no doubt Dean is an asset to the defense and, as Vic Fangio noted, deserves playing time,” Heavy.com’s Beth Mishler-Elmore wrote on December 2. “But it’s also fair to argue Campbell, a promising rookie who can only grow on the field, deserves snaps, too. But until Fangio can figure out a way to use him more, patience and determination might have to be the two crutches Campbell has to lean on.”
Johnson’s Return Could be Key To Repeat Hopes
While the drop off from Dean to Campbell might not be that noticeable, it’s hard to say the same about Lane Johnson being replaced by anyone in the NFL who plays his position, and despite backup Fred Johnson’s yeoman’s effort in his place.
“You want to know why I ignore casual fans and think the Pro Bowl is a joke?” Eagles Outsider Jimmy Smith wrote on X. “Lane Johnson allowed 0 sacks, 0 QB Hits and 5 total pressures in 2025. He played 11 games but was not selected Joe Alt allowed 1 sack, 2 QBHs and 7 total pressures. He played 6 games and was selected.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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