Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean is making encouraging strides in his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2024 playoff run, with recent developments suggesting the former Georgia standout may be ahead of his projected rehabilitation timeline.
The most telling sign of Dean’s progress came during a recent Eagles team outing to the Palestra, where the linebacker appeared without any knee brace or protective gear—a stark contrast to the scene five months ago when he was carted off the field during the playoffs. The cast-free appearance has generated optimism among Eagles fans and medical observers who have been closely monitoring his recovery process.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Dean’s rehabilitation has been his incorporation of ballet training with BalletX, Philadelphia’s premiere contemporary ballet company. The unconventional cross-training method has yielded immediate benefits for the recovering linebacker.
“There’s way more flexibility, of course. Way more mobility,” Dean explained about his ballet training results. “It’s definitely something that’s helping with my rehab. You just feel a change immediately. After you stretch, you’re not as tight or as sore.”
Keelan Whitmore, the rehearsal director of BalletX, said the ballet exercises will help improve Dean’s muscles and muscle memory. “Any sort of cross-training is good for his muscle memory, his muscle build up,” Whitmore said. “Anything that is going in one direction, if he goes against that grain, then he’s going to be even more stronger and more agile.”
Dean made it clear that his interest in ballet is purely functional. “I’m not interested in ballet, I’m in it for the mobility work and the stretching,” Dean said. However, Dean did say that his ballet training has made him more interested in the performances. “I’m more interested in the performance, looking at it... but I’m a football player through and through,” he said.
When Dean suffered his knee injury during the playoffs, medical experts projected a lengthy recovery process. Dean’s recent public appearance without protective gear suggests he may be progressing faster than initially anticipated, though the Eagles have remained cautious about providing specific timelines for his return to football activities.
In his first full season as a starter in 2024, the former third-round pick established himself as a cornerstone of the Eagles defense, finishing second on the team with 128 tackles while contributing three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. His elite performance before the injury made him an indispensable part of the Eagles’ defensive scheme, and his successful return could significantly impact the team’s 2025 season.