Things aren't looking good for Nakobe Dean on defense.

Against Houston, he played in one snap. And before that, the last time the young linebacker played in a game was three snaps during Week 1. For those counting, that's for snaps for the No. 83 overall selection.

Ouch.

That wasn't the plan heading into the season. But starting the game 8-0 wasn't the Eagles' initial plan either.

Where Dean fits in 

Where Dean has played the majority of his snaps on special teams. He's appeared in 71 percent of the team's plays in that area of the field. It's not what he wants to do. But sometimes, you have to do what you hate, to get to what you love.

"Of course, you want to go out and play, you want to put your best on the field but at the same time we’re rolling, we’re undefeated,” said Dean, who spent 10 minutes on the Jim Rome Show on Tuesday.

“I felt when I came into the league was to do whatever I can do for the team to be the best they can possibly be. Can’t complain if you’re winning.”

Dean appears to understand that when things go better than expected, roles change.

“We want everybody’s best shot because they’re going to get our best shot,” he said. “Coming from Georgia, we don’t look at it like we have a target on our back.

"We’re not the hunted, we are the hunters. We go into every week with that mindset. We go into every week like we’re (coming) for everybody, they’re not coming for us.”

As for the biggest adjustment he made between college and the pros, that was actually rather simple — maturity.

“Little things like that continuing to mature and be an adult of my own,” he said. “On the field football is football."

It wasn't the rookie season Dean expected. He's making the best out of the opportunities he's been given.

Related Philadelphia Eagles reading

"Why Jalen Hurts running less actually makes Philadelphia more dangerous."

"Eagles young star poised for breakout very, very, soon." 

Feature image via Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports