Former Alabama first-rounder recovering from shoulder surgery again
The Philadelphia Eagles likely will have to wait until training camp to see the linebacker on the field for the second straight year.
Olivia Bennett 
For the second consecutive year, the Philadelphia Eagles are proceeding with caution regarding linebacker Jihaad Campbell. The former Alabama first-round draft pick is currently sidelined while recovering from shoulder surgery, a situation that mirrors his entry into the league last year.
Status for Offseason Program
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio provided an update on Campbell's status ahead of Tuesday's OTA sessions. While Fangio noted that Campbell is doing well, he confirmed that the linebacker likely will not participate in OTAs, with the team focusing on having him fully prepared for training camp.
Building on a Strong Rookie Campaign
Despite a delayed start to his preparations last season, Campbell made an immediate impact, earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team. Over the course of the 2025 season, he recorded 80 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, logging 710 defensive snaps.
Campbell saw significant playing time early in the year after Nakobe Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon during Philadelphia’s Wild-Card victory against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 12, 2025. Campbell held down a starting role for the first eight games as the team worked toward Super Bowl LIX. Throughout the season, the Eagles boasted a 10-3 record in games where Campbell saw at least 20 defensive snaps, including his appearances in the final two regular-season contests.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With Nakobe Dean signing with the Las Vegas Raiders this March, the door has opened for Campbell to solidify a starting role alongside Zack Baun. Baun enters the season with momentum, having earned Pro Bowl recognition following a stellar 2025 campaign.
Reflecting on the challenges of the upcoming summer, Fangio acknowledged in March that the staff would need to "cram" the missed developmental work into training camp to ensure Campbell is ready for the rigors of the season.
Philadelphia’s current offseason program, which includes non-contact field drills like 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, concludes on June 10 with the final day of mandatory minicamp. The Eagles have seven practices remaining during this phase before the team breaks for the summer.
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