The Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie Jihaad Campbell was one of the top linebackers in the nation during his final college season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He proved that he can impact all three levels of the defense, including in pass coverage, rushing the passer, and defending against the run. Despite being mocked as a mid-first-round pick, Campbell unexpectedly slid, falling into the Eagles’ laps at pick No. 31.
Philadelphia Eagles rookie fell for one major reason
Jihaad Campbell fell in the draft for one major reason: injuries. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, teams were concerned about issues in both his knees and shoulders. Campbell underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in March, shortly after the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I’d say his first-round pick this year, Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell, is a little like two years ago with Jalen Carter,” Breer said. “In both cases, there was a reason why the guy was available. With Carter, it was a checkered off-field history that Philly felt well-qualified to manage. With Campbell, it’s his shoulders and knees (yes, plural on both counts). And, again, this is one where the Eagles are more equipped to take on the risk than others, because they don’t need the pick to hit.”
1st-round pick gets brutal injury update
During Tuesday’s press conference, Vic Fangio provided an injury update on Jihaad Campbell. Fangio does not expect Campbell to practice for the next two months and hopes he will be ready sometime in August. Once he returns to the practice field, the defensive coordinator will have their 1st-round pick playing as an inside linebacker.
“Right now, he’s working at ILB (inside linebacker). There’s a lot more to learn there, so that’s where we’ll start him. He won’t hit the practice field until sometime in August,” Fangio said, via the team’s website. “We’re doing all we can. He’s doing all he can in meetings and we’re doing all we can with him on the field. I take him to the side and do an individual drill with him, which is suited to what he can do right now. He’s working good and trying to pick it up.”
He isn’t the only LB injured
As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics, Nakobe Dean is recovering from the season-ending torn left patellar tendon tear he sustained in the Wild Card Round against the Green Bay Packers. Dean is not expected to return to practice anytime soon and could potentially miss the start of the 2025 season. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has received first-team reps with the starting defense throughout the spring.
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