Overview

• Philadelphia officially opened Dean’s 21-day window on Wednesday, and he returned to practice as a limited participant eight months after tearing his left patellar tendon.
• Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and coach Nick Sirianni declined to define Dean’s role, saying the team will evaluate before deciding on activation and usage.
• Dean emerged in 2024 with 128 tackles, three sacks and an interception, but his postseason ended in the wild-card win over Green Bay due to the tendon tear.
• The Eagles also signed edge rusher Antwuan Powell-Ryland to the practice squad as they manage depth issues following injuries to Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo and recent secondary absences.
• Dean is in the final year of his contract, adding stakes to how quickly he’s activated and how many snaps he can reclaim in a crowded linebacker room.