Eagles' Vic Fangio on Dean's success, Mukuba's growth and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Vic Fangio’s defense is coming off two incredible games against the Packers and Lions and it’s probably not a coincidence that the defense is taking off as Nakobe Dean rounds into form.
Dean, 24, began the season on the PUP list but has been a difference-maker since his return.
While Dean was active for the Eagles’ loss to the Giants in Week 6, he was limited to special teams. He began playing defense in Week 7 and has been a big catalyst for this four-game winning streak.
“I know what he looks like when he is right,” Fangio said on Tuesday. “I think we did the right thing. He could have played that Giants game, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. He’s progressed nicely both in practice and in the games, and you guys have seen it.”
In the last two weeks, Dean has 2 sacks, 10 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 QB hits and 1 forced fumble.
Dean played at a really high level last season before tearing his patellar tendon in the wild-card round against the Packers. That’s a significant injury and recovery but Dean has been excellent since coming back in 2025.
Is that surprising to Fangio?
“I know he worked really hard in his rehab,” Fangio said. “He was bugging those guys in the training room to come back earlier than they allowed him to. So, from that regard, no. Nakobe’s got good instincts, good football acumen. I don’t want to say it comes easy, but it comes natural to him, so that speeds it up too.”
The Eagels began this season with Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell as their starting inside linebackers. But since Dean’s return, he has been taking away snaps from the rookie Campbell, who has been getting work on the edge too.
Against the Lions, Dean played his highest-percentage of snaps so far this season. He played 40 snaps, while Campbell played 17 at inside linebacker. Fangio on Tuesday said that rotation will “probably stay similar.”
Not a rookie anymore
Back in October, Fangio called rookie safety Drew Mukuba’s season “uneven.” But since then, Mukuba has been able to find some more consistency.
He isn’t making a ton of huge plays but he’s not giving them up either.
“That’s a part of us playing better too,” Fangio said. “Early in the year, he had some bad plays that led to big plays for the opponent and we haven’t had that lately.”
The Eagles began the season with Mukuba and Sydney Brown splitting reps but Mukuba has now started nine games and has been the full-time starter for most of the season. The second-round pick is getting better.
And that was to be expected. The Eagles just had to be patient.
“Yeah, I think I told you guys a story, Bud Grant always used to say, ‘For every rookie you play, add a loss to your loss column,’” Fangio said. “I heard another guy say, ‘You’ve got to pay taxes on when you play rookies.’ But now it’s game 11 coming up. He’s not a rookie anymore.”
On a snap count
Fangio on Tuesday confirmed that OLB Nolan Smith is still on a snap limitation three weeks into his return from Injured Reserve with a tricep injury.
It’s clearly not Fangio’s decision as he mentioned head athletic trainer Tom Hunkele, but it’s probably wise to let Smith ramp up. Smith tore his triceps in the Super Bowl and then landed on IR this year with another injury to his triceps.
Here are Smith’s snaps in his two games since coming back from IR:
Week 10 at Green Bay: 19 snaps (27.9%)
Week 11 vs. Lions: 22 snaps (37.3%)
For reference, Smith averaged 34.1 snaps per game in the regular season last year and then played 52.3 snaps per game in the playoffs. Even with Jaelan Phillips and Jalyx Hunt playing well, the Eagles will want to keep increasing Smith’s usage.
Off to a good start
It’s hard to imagine Jaelan Phillips’ first two games in an Eagles uniform going any better than they have.
Phillips, 26, has been great against the Packers and Lions and is producing like he did in half a year under Fangio in 2023.
“Yeah, I think he’s close to being back to that spot,” Fangio said. “I really do.”
Back in 2011, Phillips had 6 1/2 sacks in 8 games under Fangio in Miami before tearing his Achilles. In two games under Fangio this season, Phillips already has 11 tackles, 13 pressures, 1 sack, 4 QB hits and 2 TFLs.
Is there another level for Phillips to reach?
“Yeah, he’s a young player still,” Fangio said. “He can still get better.”