Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft pick Jihaad Campbell won’t begin practicing with his new NFL teammates until after training camp starts.
The Eagles chose the Alabama linebacker at No. 31 in the NFL Draft on April 24 after he had offseason shoulder surgery.
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Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gave an update on Campbell during a press conference on Tuesday. He said Campbell would start his NFL career as an inside linebacker.
“Right now, he’s working at ILB because there’s a lot more to learn there,” Fangio said, “so that’s where we’ll start him. He won’t hit the practice field until sometime in August, so we’re doing all we can. He’s doing all he can in meetings. We’re doing all we can with him on the field. I take him to the side and do an individual drill with him that’s suited to what he can do right now, so he’s working good and trying to pick it up.”
Fangio said he thinks Campbell has pass-rush potential, but it will take “getting him out there” to see. Campbell had five sacks among his 117 tackles in 2024 for Alabama.
The Eagles have Zack Braun and Nakobe Dean returning at inside linebacker for the 2025 season. Braun earned first-team All-Pro recognition last season. Dean recorded 128 tackles in 2024, but he sustained a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in Philadelphia’s playoff opener, and his timeline to return remains unclear.
The Eagles have two practices remaining in their offseason program before breaking until training camp convenes in late July.
Campbell has not signed his first NFL contract yet. He’s among the seven first-rounders who remain unsigned.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.