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Jihaad Campbell Progressing, Working With Eagles’ First Team; Latest On OLB, S Situations

July 30th, 2025 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Viewed as an upper-crust talent in the first-round mix this year, Jihaad Campbell fell to No. 31 largely because of injury concerns. The rookie linebacker missed the Eagles’ offseason program, but his climb toward the expected starting role is underway.

Although Campbell was not expected to be at full speed yet, PHLY.com’s Zach Berman notes is already mixing into first-string work. The Eagles are listing the Alabama product as limited, but the Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski indicates little about his workload suggests a limited tag is necessary. That certainly represents good news for the Eagles, as Berman points to a Week 1 lineup configuration including Campbell alongside Zack Baun at linebacker.

[RELATED: Assessing Eagles’ 2025 Offseason Work]

Campbell having dealt with trouble involving both shoulders, undergoing surgery on one in March, scared some teams during the pre-draft process. But he avoided the active/NFI list to open Eagles camp. A dynamic player who only slid to linebacker (from the edge) due to the Crimson Tide being deeper there during his college career, Campbell has already come up as a player with an edge-rushing future.

For now, the Eagles have their top prospect stationed at off-ball linebacker. Campbell is competing with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for the job alongside Baun, Kempski adds. While noting the second-generation Eagles LB has started off camp well, Campbell being ready to roll would seemingly make this a non-competition. Campbell’s rookie contract aligns with Baun’s $17MM-per-year deal, giving the Eagles good balance once they have the rookie up to speed.

Shifting to the edge, the Eagles have two experienced options as apparent insurance policies behind hopeful starter Jalyx Hunt. Josh Sweat‘s free agency defection and Brandon Graham‘s retirement leave the Eagles with OLB questions, and they took fliers on supplementary rushers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Thus far, the two vets are working almost exclusively with the second team, the Philly Voice’s Geoff Mosher adds, while Hunt plays opposite locked-in starter Nolan Smith.

Padded work in practice, along with the defending Super Bowl champs’ preseason games, could change this equation. For now, though, the Eagles are not mixing their low-cost FAs into first-string work much — to the point Kempski indicates Ojulari has not shown much early in camp. The four-year Giants contributor drew extensive trade interest before last year’s deadline but only fetched a one-year, $3MM Eagles deal in free agency. Uche is on a one-year, $1.92MM pact. A 2024 third-rounder, Hunt played 241 defensive snaps as a rookie; he tallied 1.5 sacks and three QB hits before matching each total during Philadelphia’s playoff slate.

As expected, Sydney Brown represents second-round pick Andrew Mukuba‘s primary competition at safety. The two split reps early, per 94WIP.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. Mukuba, who goes just 186 pounds, has missed early-camp time with a shoulder injury. The Eagles could also limit their non-Reed Blankenship safety’s usage by giving Cooper DeJean safety time in base sets, which was an offseason talking point. Brown lost his job to C.J. Gardner-Johnson last year, as the 2023 second-round pick was rehabbing an ACL tear sustained late in his rookie season. With Gardner-Johnson traded to Houston, Brown has another chance to start. Two years remain on Brown’s rookie contract.

Rounding out late-July Eagles matters, Jordan Davis said (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane) he has dropped 26 pounds to weigh in at 330. The imposing D-tackle is now extension-eligible, but the 2022 first-rounder’s part-time usage (down to 37% in 2024) connected him to the bottom rung on the option ladder. Davis is now tied to a fully guaranteed $12.94MM in 2026; the substantial weight loss could help him stay on the field more en route as an extension case builds.

OLB Jalyx Hunt Expected To Start For Eagles

July 14th, 2025 at 5:05pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Eagles are moving into a new era of edge rushers after the retirement of Brandon Graham and the departure of Josh Sweat in free agency.

Since 2018, Graham and Sweat has accounted for 209 appearances, 116 starts, and 7,050 snaps in Philadelphia, though Graham largely played a rotational role in the last three years. Still, the Eagles will have to replace both players’ snaps to maintain a pass rush that helped power their championship run.

Leading the edge room will be 2023 first-rounder Nolan Smith. He emerged as a starter partway through the 2024 season and Graham’s triceps injury in Week 12 only increased his role. Smith finished the regular season with 6.5 sacks and added 4.0 more in the playoffs while playing 76.8% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps.

The primary candidate to start opposite Smith is 2023 third-round pick Jalyx Hunt, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Hunt started his rookie year as a healthy scratch and finished it as a playoff hero with 1.5 sacks in the postseason. This offseason, he added weight and impressed Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson in spring practices. Graham also said on the Ross Tucker Podcast that Hunt had put on some “good weight,” adding that “the sky’s the limit for him.”

With a pair of 24-year-olds set to start this year, the Eagles added veteran edge depth this offseason by signing Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to one-year deals. Both flashed as impact players earlier in their career – Ojulari with 8.0 sacks as a rookie in 2021 and Uche with 11.5 sacks in 2022 – but consistency has been lacking since. Ojulari missed 22 games in the last three years due to injury, while Uche only logged 5.0 sacks in the last two seasons, but both will have a rotational role right away with the potential to eat into Hunt’s snap share if he falters.

On the interior, the Eagles will be looking to Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo to replace Milton Williams alongside Jalen Carter on pass-rushing downs. Ojomo is leading the battle coming out of the spring, per Geoff Mosher of PhillyVoice, but Carter’s untapped physical potential will keep him in the running. Fourth-round rookie Ty Robinson was an impressive pass-rusher at Nebraska, but he will have to prove himself against his new teammates this summer before he gets a crack at the rest of the league.

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2025 at 11:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

  1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
  3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
  4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
  5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
  6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
  7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
  8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
  9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
  10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
  11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
  12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
  13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
  14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
  15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
  16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
  17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
  18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
  19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
  20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
  21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($17.6MM): Exercised
  22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
  23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
  24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
  25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
  26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
  27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
  29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
  30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
  31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
  32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Eagles To Exercise DT Jordan Davis’ Fifth-Year Option

April 30th, 2025 at 8:10am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles plan to keep their all-Georgia defensive tackle duo together beyond 2025. They will pick up Jordan Davis‘ fifth-year option, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, ensuring he and Jalen Carter will remain under contract through 2026.

Davis has proven to be an important piece for the Eagles, though his playing time will make this an affordable option to exercise. Because the nose tackle has yet to play 50% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in a season, he will be eligible for the lowest of the four option prices at the position. Philadelphia will have Davis on a fully guaranteed $12.94MM in 2026.

Teams have until 3pm CT Thursday to decline on fifth-year options tied to the 2022 first-round class. Davis represented the first member of the Georgia products to arrive on Philly’s defense, coming in as the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. Nakobe Dean followed in that year’s third round, while Carter, Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo were 2023 draftees.

With Milton Williams departing for a monster Patriots payday in free agency, the Eagles will lean into their Georgia connection inside. Davis, however, has been a regular starter in Philly. He has started every Eagles game over the past two seasons, not missing any time since a short IR stint during his rookie season.

Although Carter has revealed himself to be a more impactful player, Davis’ presence helps his ex-Bulldogs teammate disrupt offensive game plans. Davis has only 3.5 career sacks and six tackles for loss. But his imposing presence frees up his D-line mates, most recently evidenced by Philly smothering Kansas City’s offense in Super Bowl LIX.

The Eagles only used Davis on 388 defensive snaps last season, even as Fletcher Cox announced his retirement, but his starter status has not been in question. Davis finished eighth in run stop win rate during the 2023 season, and he helped Vic Fangio‘s defense rebound as the team returned to a Super Bowl the following year. Davis, 25, was a central figure in an Eagles unit that led the NFL in yards allowed and ranked second in scoring.

A stunning Davis 40-yard dash performance at the 2022 Combine crystalized his value as a mid-first-round pick. Despite weighing 340 pounds, he blazed to a 4.78-second 40. The Eagles traded up two spots (via the Texans) to select Davis at 13. Howie Roseman‘s team had come into the draft with three first-round picks that year, acquiring one via the Dolphins’ DeVonta Smith trade-up maneuver and the other from the Colts for Carson Wentz. The pick obtained in the Smith swap went to Davis, and Roseman sent the No. 18 pick to the Titans for A.J. Brown. These moves came shortly after the Eagles sent the Saints the No. 19 pick; the first-rounder acquired in that deal went to Carter a year later.

Davis will not command an extension in the Carter range, but he has made an early case to be locked up long term. The Eagles have been proactive with deals along their lines, so it would not surprise to see the team enter extension talks with Davis’ camp this offseason. Carter does not become extension-eligible until next year.

Eagles Activate DT Jordan Davis From IR

December 3rd, 2022 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Philadelphia announced today that it will be activating first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis off of injured reserve following a four-week stint off the active roster. In a corresponding move, the Eagles placed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on IR.

Davis started off his rookie season coming off the bench behind Eagles starting defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Philadelphia couldn’t keep the No. 13 overall pick off the field, though, and soon began starting all three players each game.

In Davis’s absence, the Eagles turned to Marlon Tuipulotu until he found his way to the IR, as well, with a torn meniscus. The team then turned to Linval Joseph after signing him and fellow veteran Ndamukong Suh in consecutive days. It’s reasonable to expect Davis to return to the starting lineup alongside Cox and Hargrave in his return, returning Joseph to backup duties with Suh. It’s speculative, but Davis returning as soon as he is eligible could be a strong sign that he is completely ready to return with no lingering effects from the high ankle sprain that landed him on IR in the first place.

Following news that Gardner-Johnson, the team’s starting safety, would be out indefinitely with a lacerated kidney, his placement on IR doesn’t come as much of a surprise. If he can make a speedy recovery, Gardner-Johnson should be eligible to return in time for the final two games of the regular season and a likely Eagles postseason run.

The league’s interceptions-leader will likely be replaced by undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee Reed Blankenship. Although it seems like a big downgrade on paper, Blankenship showed his potential almost immediately, intercepting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shortly after coming into last week’s game to replace Gardner-Johnson.

In addition to the two IR transactions, the Eagles have also promoted linebacker Christian Elliss from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation for this week’s matchup against the Titans.

Eagles Designate DT Jordan Davis For Return

November 30th, 2022 at 9:39am CST by Sam Robinson

As most teams begin their Week 13 practices Wednesday, IR management re-enters the equation. The Eagles are moving forward with one of their hopeful returns, opening Jordan Davis‘ practice window.

Philadelphia designated the rookie defensive tackle for return Wednesday morning. Davis has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 8. This week marks the first window in which the Eagles could use this return designation, generating optimism the athletic run-stuffer could be back when first eligible.

The Eagles have changed their D-tackle equation since Davis last played, venturing into free agency at an unusual point for such transactions. Davis will join Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph at Philly’s practice today. The veteran duo joined the team after the Eagles had struggled against the run without Davis. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles deploy their defensive tackles going forward, given the presences of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

Although Davis’ 154 defensive snaps do not meet Pro Football Focus’ minimum for full-time status, the advanced metrics site rates the Georgia product as a top-10 run defender among D-tackles this season. The Texans and Commanders’ rushing performances made Davis’ absence glaring. Having the 6-foot-6, 340-pound lineman back could provide a significant boost for the team with the NFL’s best record (10-1).

Philly is in good shape for injury activations, holding six at its disposal. Considering the investment the team made in Davis this year, one of those activations will undoubtedly be used on him. He of a 4.78-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine, Davis wowed teams and convinced an Eagles team big on line investments to invest the No. 13 overall pick in a D-lineman who does not factor in — production-wise, at least — as a pass rusher much. Davis made a massive impact during Georgia’s national championship run last season and figures to both improve the Eagles’ run-defending capabilities and give the team’s pass rushers more favorable matchups upon return.

Eagles Expect TE Dallas Goedert, DT Jordan Davis To Return In Regular Season

November 20th, 2022 at 1:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles have been dealt notable blows on each side of the ball recently, but they are in line to get both tight end Dallas Goedert and defensive tackle Jordan Davis back before the postseason begins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles expect both players to be activated later in the regular season.

Goedert is dealing with a shoulder injury which was immediately understood to cost him significant time. He was placed on IR last week, guaranteeing at least a four-game absence. As a source confirmed to Schefter, however, the 27-year-old is widely believed to be on track to return with anywhere between two and four weeks left in the regular season.

That will be welcomed news for Philadelphia, of course, given Goedert’s importance to the their offense. He ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 544, making him an effective compliment in the middle of the field to blockbuster trade acquisition A.J. Brown. At the time the injury was reported, it was indicated that Goedert could be healthy before the postseason begins, so a December return would come as little surprise.

The same holds true for Davis, who has shouldered a much smaller workload during his rookie campaign but still shown plenty of potential when on the field. The first-rounder suffered an ankle sprain which will leave him on IR for at least one more week. The Eagles feel he has a “realistic chance” to be activated in time for their Week 13 game against the Titans, per Schefter. That will provide a major boost to a defensive front which has allowed 320 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in Davis’ absence during the past two weeks.

The Eagles currently have six IR activations remaining, though one of those will likely go to Janarius Robinson as he was designated to return last week. A healthy Goedert and Davis could go a long way in determining Philadelphia’s playoff positioning, given how tight the NFC East is likely to remain throughout the remainder of the season.

Eagles Place DT Jordan Davis On IR

November 2nd, 2022 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Davis‘ high ankle sprain will pause a strong start to his career. The Eagles will give the first-round pick extensive time to recover, placing him on IR ahead of their Thursday-night Texans matchup.

Davis must miss that game and Philadelphia’s next three because of this roster move. The Eagles are still in good shape, injury activation-wise, having only used one of their allotted eight thus far this season. Davis will undoubtedly be one of Philly’s injury activations later this season, as he has thrived in a part-time role for the unbeaten team.

Pro Football Focus grades Davis as a top-10 interior defender through seven games, slotting his work against the run as among the best in the NFL. Davis, 22, moved into Philly’s starting lineup in Week 3 and has helped Jonathan Gannon‘s defense take another step. The Eagles, who ranked 18th in points allowed last season, sit third. They are also third in total defense, with the Georgia-developed size-speed freak helping the cause.

This year’s No. 13 overall pick, Davis has yet to play more than half of the team’s defensive snaps in a game. But he has made a major impact. Running a 4.78-second 40-yard dash despite a 340-plus-pound frame, Davis has teamed with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave to form one of the NFL’s top defensive tackle trios in many years.

Having already had their bye, the Eagles face Houston, Washington, Indianapolis and Green Bay over the next four weeks. The team will likely be patient with Davis, given what he means to its future up front. But the standout rookie should be expected to return at some point during the final stretch of an Eagles home-field advantage push.

Eagles’ First-Round Rookie DT Jordan Davis Sprains Ankle

October 30th, 2022 at 6:10pm CST by Ely Allen

Not much has gone wrong for the Eagles this year as they’ve cruised their way to an undefeated 7-0 start to the season. Injuries affect every team, though, and one showed up in Philadelphia today as rookie first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis left today’s game with a high ankle sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The 13th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has been a rotational contributor this year for the NFC East leaders. Despite becoming a consistent starter since Week 3 of the season, Davis has yet to play more than half of the team’s defensive snaps in a single game. Still, he’s been impressive in his limited time grading out as the league’s 9th best defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), thanks to a really good run defense grade and a better than average pass rush grade.

Through seven games this year, Davis has recorded 12 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defensed. Obviously, as a defensive tackle, Davis isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, but he’s been an impactful rookie, making his presence felt in other ways.

If the Eagles are forced to miss Davis for an extended period, they’ll likely roll forward with a top-two of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Back up linemen Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu have been rotating in like Davis, but, with Davis out, they will likely be asked to step up for a few more snaps each game.

High ankle sprains typically have a recovery period of four to six weeks. The severity of Davis’s injury has yet to be determined, but he is expected to undergo an MRI tomorrow morning.

NFC East Notes: Giants, Eagles, Clark

June 23rd, 2022 at 10:21am CST by Sam Robinson

Participation among key Giants receivers was light during this year’s offseason. Sterling Shepard continues to close out his Achilles rehab, while Kadarius Toney missed time because of a new injury. Kenny Golladay was also limited during the team’s spring workouts. This could point to Darius Slayton being retained as an insurance policy of sorts, but the fourth-year wideout does not seem to be a favorite of the new regime, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com offers. Slayton buzz this offseason continues to point to a departure, and Raanan does not have the former fifth-rounder making the team. The Giants shopped the two-time 700-yard receiver ahead of the draft and took Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson in Round 2, further crowding their receiving corps. Due to a proven performance escalator, Slayton’s rookie contract finishes up with a $2.5MM 2022 salary.

Here is the NFC East’s latest:

  • Haason Reddick‘s potential role as an outside linebacker who moves to defensive end on passing downs in a 4-3 scheme reminded of Von Miller‘s in his initial Broncos seasons. But the Eagles may no longer be keen on keeping their highly paid edge rusher in the garage. They are leaning toward more 3-4 sets this season, Tim McManus of ESPN.com notes. This would allow Reddick, who turned his career around after the Cardinals gave him a chance as a pure edge player in 2020, the opportunity to rush on most plays. The former first-round pick has accumulated 23.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
  • The Eagles have a formidable-looking defensive tackle crew, having drafted Jordan Davis to pair with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Despite Davis’ massive frame, McManus adds the Eagles believe he can be a three-down player. Nose tackles often come off the field on passing downs, making the use of a top-15 pick on one questionable. While Davis might not be ticketed for an immediate three-down role, given the veterans that headline his Philly position group, the Georgia-developed size-speed freak will have that chance as a pro.
  • Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark is not expected to suit up anytime soon. The fifth-round pick underwent spinal fusion surgery in March, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, and may miss the season. Even if Clarke suits up, Machota adds the Cowboys are not expecting that to happen until late in the season (subscription required). Clark recorded 135 tackles and 5.5 sacks during his final LSU season and will rejoin ex-Tigers teammate Jabril Cox as part of Dallas’ linebacking corps.
  • Although Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson went first and second overall, Giants DC Don Martindale and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins viewed Kayvon Thibodeaux as this draft’s best edge prospect, Raanan notes. Lofty draft-board proclamations often emerge after teams make their picks, but the Giants did select a player who exited 2021 atop many mock drafts. The team plans on using Thibodeaux as an inside pass rusher as well, Raanan adds. Big Blue has enjoyed success with edge rushers moving inside, but it has been a while since Justin Tuck and Co. thrived in the Big Apple.
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