Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean was projected to have a breakout year in 2023, however, two different foot injuries kept him from doing that. 

Dean also landed on Injured Reserve twice. 

His first injury happened to his right foot during the Eagles' season opener against the New England Patriots, which kept him out until Week 6. He was available for four weeks until he landed on Injured Reserve again with a left foot injury following the Eagles' Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

He did not return after undergoing surgery.

In five games, the former 2022 third-round pick out of Georgia logged 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a half sack for the Eagles last season.

Fast forward through the first six games of the Eagles' 2024 season and Dean is already well past those numbers. 

He ranks second on the team behind Zack Baun with 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and one pass defended. 

Dean now enters Week 8 versus the Cincinnati Bengals after logging his best career game last Sunday against the New York Giants where he finished the 28-3 win with 11 tackles, 4 QB hits, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. 

But he remains unsatisfied. 

“It was aight,” Dean said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I had two sacks so that’s probably why they are saying that. We just gotta continue to get better week-to-week. That’s the only thing I’m focused on: Getting better. We continue to get better, not really listening to what people have to say. If I live by their compliments, I’m gonna die by their criticism.

"I’m just gonna focus on getting better and better, week-to-week and that’s it. This defense is getting better. That’s it.”

Eagles fans should love that response as Dean continues to build upon his breakout season and prove that he wasn't a draft bust. 

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Bengals HC Zac Taylor refuses to compare Eagles WR DeVonta Smith to anyone else in the NFL

The ultimate compliment.