Eagles Make 2 Major Roster Moves As Next Man Up Preps for Bigger Playoff Role
The Philadelphia Eagles know that replacing Nakobe Dean will be very difficult moving forward throughout the remainder of the 2025 playoffs.
Especially against a Los Angeles Rams offense that loves to attack athletic linebackers to begin with.
The Eagles have signed receiver Parris Campbell to the active roster, and why?
Because they have placed Dean on injured reserve because of that significant knee injury.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks (42) causes a fumble on Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) for the opening kick off during the first half in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio understands the task at hand is difficult, but he also knows that he has quality role players behind Dean to replace the young star.
At the top of that list is journeyman Oren Burks. After a few years with the San Francisco 49ers, Burks has been the team's third linebacker all year.
Fangio believes that he can do the job well when called upon.
“Oren’s a good athlete, can run, he’s got experience playing,” said Fangio. “Good tackler as we saw on the opening kickoff. We like him, too.”
Plenty of stars on Philadelphia's defense came away devastated when the news about Dean broke. Their top unit will need to be in top shape moving forward and that means the veteran must be ready to go.
The good news is that he is.
“I’m ready. I’m ready,” Burks said. “The whole year just waiting for an opportunity. They’ve been playing really well, Nakobe and Zack. I’ve been really proud of the room. Everybody, even (Jeremiah) Trotter, when we got in that last game, he shows up and makes plays. Just the mentality we have in the room, it’s just next-man-up mentality.”
Philadelphia knows that against a veteran-laden team, they'll need their whole defense to step up more than they have before.
And Burks is at the top of that list.
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