WATCH: Devin White has a strong response to Vic Fangio naming Nakobe Dean the starter

Nakobe Dean spent the off-season and summer saying all the right things about his recovery from a foot injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely. For most of the training camp, the idea was that Dean might lose his job to Devin White.

White exited Tampa Bay for Philadelphia with the hope of retooling his career while becoming the missing piece that gets this Eagles team over the Super Bowl hump. During the summer, it looked like White had shown he was the best linebacker on the roster while assuming a leadership role, resulting in the former Buccaneers star becoming a defensive general.

White, a 2024 free agent signing, talked about being a team leader and upgrading Philadelphia’s linebacker position.

White missed the season opener with a foot injury, and his status for Week 2 is uncertain. However, after Vic Fangio clarified that Dean is his starter, it won’t matter.

A visibly frustrated White addressed Fangio’s comments and more before the Eagles’ Thursday practice.

Dean and Fangio’s favorite Zack Baun held down the fort on defense, with the former Saints linebacker logging 15 tackles, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and 2 QB hits. Dean was solid, logging four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.

They’ll need to be even more dynamic in Week 2, with Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson heading to Philadelphia.