The Philadelphia Eagles acquired linebacker Jihaad Campbell from Alabama in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 24. But his hometown is Erial, New Jersey, which is about 20 miles from Philadelphia across the Delaware River, and Campell grew up an Eagles fan.
On Thursday night, Campbell made his first appearance in a Philadelphia uniform as the Eagles opened their preseason schedule with a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field.
“It felt really great,” Campbell said, “just going out there and really running out the tunnel. It felt amazing just to see what it’s going to be like for the year to come. …
“When I went out there for a pregame stretch and, you know, just walking around the field, just doing some drills and really visualizing just the fans and just me making plays out there on the field, so it was great.
“Just I got a routine, so I really was taking in the moment and just always appreciate God and what he has in store for me.”
Campbell made three tackles in his first NFL action. He came on the field for Philadelphia’s second defensive series, when the Bengals still had their projected regular-season starting lineup on the field, and he did not play after halftime.
RELATED:SAQUON BARKLEY ON JIHAAD CAMPBELL: ‘HE’S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM’
“M goal was to just win and just to play team football,” Campbell said. “… The ball game is way more faster than what it is in college, so, you know, just have more patience in diagnosing plays and stuff like that and just trusting my instincts and God-gifted ability to go make plays.”
Campbell had another tackle, but he lost it off the stat sheet because he got penalized for illegal of hands while shedding a blocker on the play. He also had a fluttering football, knocked away from Cincinnati wide receiver Isaiah Williams by Philadelphia safety Andre Sam, land in his hands, but he couldn’t hold on for the interception as he hit the turf.
“I’m still upset about that,” Campbell said, “but, you know, it is what it is. Next-play mentality. It felt real good just to go against another team and hit somebody else.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was asked after the game about Campbell’s progress as a rookie.
“He’s growing, and he’s doing a good job,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, he’s highly athletic and can do a lot of different things, and I see him getting better every day.
“We had a couple interceptions. Pat Johnson, obviously, made the big-time interception right there. But we felt like (Jeremiah Trotter) had an opportunity for an interception. We felt like (former Alabama cornerback) Eli (Ricks) had an opportunity for an interception. We felt like Jihaad had an opportunity for an interception. We got to make sure we finish those.”
Campbell played inside linebacker on Thursday night.
Philadelphia has Zack Baun, a first-team All-Pro selection in 2024, and Nakobe Dean returning at inside linebacker for the 2025 season – when Dean is healthy again. Dean recorded 128 tackles in 2024, but he sustained a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in Philadelphia’s playoff opener, and his return date is yet to be determined.
Campbell had shoulder surgery in March to repair a torn labrum and did not practice fully for Philadelphia until training camp opened. The injury might explain why Campbell was available to the Eagles at No. 31 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Philadelphia traded up one spot to select the linebacker.
“I think that’s in the past,” Campbell said. “Right now, I’m a Philadelphia Eagle. That’s all I’m worried about is just how can I get myself better each and every day, win football games and just play better as a whole.”
The Eagles continue their three-game preseason schedule against the Cleveland Browns at noon CDT Aug. 16 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OURNFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.