Former Alabama star Jihaad Campbell turning heads with Philadelphia Eagles
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Following offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, former Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell wasn’t expected to start practicing with his new team until August.
But Campbell was on the field on Wednesday for the first practice of training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. By Saturday, he was taking first-team reps with the defense.
An All-American linebacker for the Crimson Tide last season, Campbell slid down to the 31st pick in this year’s NFL Draft. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported after the draft back in April that some teams felt there were injury risks associated with Campbell, who would otherwise be a top-10 talent.
“We’ll see over time how valid those medical concerns are or aren’t,” Schefter said then.
Early returns suggest Philly got a steal on draft night. Campbell was listed as “limited” on the team’s practice report this week, but it looks like he has already overtaken second-year Eagle Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to line up opposite Zack Baun with the first-team defense.
“It was good to see him out there. I wasn’t expecting him out there,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said on Thursday. “The trainers had been telling me all spring that it would be at some point in August when he’d be out there. So I’m learning that our trainers like to understate and overachieve so they look good.”
Added head coach Nick Sirianni: “He looked like he had a great summer — excited to have him out there working.”
“Jihaad looks good, really, really good,” Baun said, per SI. “Obviously a physical specimen, very athletic dude. I think he missed out on some reps during the spring there that could have been beneficial to him, but he’s not far behind. He’s gonna be a good player.”
Asked if he was back sooner than expected, Campbell said he was still going through rehab but he has trusted the process throughout.
“As good as it could be right now,” Campbell said. “Just really excited to get to work each and every day.”
Earlier this week, the Eagles placed linebacker Nakobe Dean on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Dean started 15 games last season but tore a patellar tendon in the NFC wild card round against the Green Bay Packers. While Dean recovers, Campbell will have an opportunity to earn some early playing time if he can continue on his current trajectory.
The Eagles open preseason play against the Bengals on Aug. 7. They open the regular season at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
