Eagles coach makes key reveal about injured player that will help Philadelphia beat 49ers to start Super Bowl run

Nakobe Dean’s status will be massively important in stopping the 49ers offense.

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio walks onto the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Linebacker Nakobe Dean is a player that Philadelphia Eagles fans are keeping a close eye on this week. Ahead of Philly’s first playoff matchup, Dean’s injury status looms large, but Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio revealed some great news about his status.

Nakobe Dean’s status becoming clearer as Eagles prep for 49ers

Fangio gave Eagles fans a notable update on linebacker Nakobe Dean’s potential availability. He expects the linebacker to play against the San Francisco 49ers. He has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. 

In Dean’s ten games this season, the athletic LB has totaled 55 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 TFLs, 6 QB hits and a pass breakup. He plays with his hair on fire and has emerged as a legitimate leader for the unit. Getting him back to begin the postseason would be huge for the Eagles defense who has led them up to this point for much of this campaign.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni backup up Fangio’s comments with his statement this morning on Dean and star offensive tackle Lane Johnson. He revealed that both are working incredibly hard to be on the field for Sunday’s Wild Card game. If they didn’t have a strong chance of playing, it feels like Sirianni would’ve kept that a bit closer to the chest.

Not to mention, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been one of the most productive players in all of the NFL this season. Philadelphia’s run defense is noticeably better when Dean is on the field, as opposed to off of it.

Regardless, the 49ers are coming in as one of the top teams in the NFC, no matter what seed they landed with to finish the regular season. They played in a stacked NFC West that sent three teams to the postseason this year, including the top overall seed in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks.

Dean and Johnson could both provide a vital boost for Philly’s chances of going to the next round of the postseason.

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