More linebacker depth in the aftermath of Nakobe Dean’s season-ending injury.
Nicholas Morrow is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The team is signing the veteran linebacker to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL insider Mike Garafolo.
Morrow originally joined the Eagles during the 2023 offseason. He did not play well last season, as we noted when he left to sign with the Buffalo Bills in March 2024:
Morrow went from taking first-team reps in training camp to not even making the original 53-player roster. He instead began the season on the practice squad before being called up to play after Nakobe Dean got hurt.
Morrow ended up making 12 starts over 15 games played. Other teams picked on him in coverage, as evidenced by his 104.6 passer rating when targeted. Morrow was arguably the face of the team’s linebacker struggles in 2023 so he certainly won’t be missed.
Morrow logged 44 defensive snaps and 182 special teams snaps in 11 games played for Buffalo in 2024. The Bills waived him on January 3 to make room for a third quarterback on their active roster.
The Eagles obviously had a need for more linebacker depth with Nakobe Dean suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Green Bay Packers. The only three healthy off-ball linebackers currently on the active roster are Zack Baun, Oren Burks, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio indicated that Burks and Trotter Jr. might split snaps in an effort to replace Dean.
Morrow figures to provide depth in case of more linebacker injuries in addition to contributing on special teams. He’ll likely be temporarily elevated to the roster for Sunday’s Divisional Round game, if not outright signed to the roster if/when the Eagles place Dean on injured reserve. The Eagles also have off-ball linebacker Dallas Gant on the practice squad but the undrafted rookie is obviously less experienced than Morrow, who has 53 career starts under his belt.
