Eagles First-Round Pick Pulls Off Major Training Camp Shocker originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

At one point during offseason workouts, analysts and fans wondered when, if at all, Philadelphia Eagles first-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell would be able to practice.

The Alabama standout had been recovering from a shoulder injury as well as some additional knee concerns during the pre-draft process. That didn’t deter the Eagles from making Campbell the 31st pick in the draft.

Now we know why.

Just a few months removed from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saying he expected to see Campbell midway through August, the rookie linebacker has hit the practice field in the very first week of training camp.

On Saturday, Campbell was in the starting lineup, taking reps.

“It was good to see him out there. I wasn’t expecting him out there,” Fangio said this week. “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. 

“It was just an hour of practice, but no earth-shattering news to report yet other than it was good that he was out there and he’s progressing.”

“Earth-shattering”? OK, that’s a bit much. But a major camp shocker? That’s about right.

From potentially not being ready until the later portion of camp to getting starting reps in the very first week, the initial diagnosis and concerns surrounding Campbell may have been an overreaction.

And now it seems the rookie may be thrust into the starting lineup when the Super Bowl champs open up their title defense in Week 1 at home against the hated Dallas Cowboys.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.