Vic Fangio is not trying to overcomplicate it for rookie phenom Jihaad Campbell with Nakobe Dean working his way back to the field. “Not right now,” Fangio says when asked if Jihaad Campbell could play the edge with Nakobe Dean’s return coming soon.
Recently, Fangio stated that Dean is working his way back off PUP and should begin practicing within the next week or two. Dean was placed on active PUP once training camp started and then placed on reserve/PUP upon the completion of training camp.
PUP players are inactive for the first four weeks of the season and then given a 21-day window to be activated to the roster, provided they are cleared to play. If Dean isn't able to play after his window, he won't be able to participate during the 2025 season.
How Fangio will approach his linebacker/edge rusher situation with Eagles
While the Eagles are in hurry-up-and-wait mode with Dean, Fangio doesn't want to consider changing the current game plan for Campbell. Campbell has been one of the NFL's best rookies, consistently grading Campbell as one of the league's better linebackers. So far this season, Campbell has recorded 22 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble.
With Dean sidelined and Campbell staying put in the middle, the Eagles will most likely lean on a committee approach to man the edge. The Eagles placed Ogbo Okoronkwo on injured reserve Tuesday evening.
They are now down two edge rushers, with Nolan Smith Jr. being placed on injured reserve the week prior. The Eagles will most likely continue to lean on Josh Uche, Za'Darius Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Patrick Johnson, along with Azeez Ojulari now being forced into action.
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The Eagles will now wait patiently to see the status of Dean moving forward within the next three weeks. However, it appears no matter what, it'll be business as usual for Campbell, who is en route to an All-Rookie (maybe All-Pro) season in 2025.