Nakobe Dean’s Injury Opens the Door for Jihaad Campbell to Make His Mark in Week 17
The Philadelphia Eagles locked up the NFC East title with a win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, securing their spot atop the division and giving themselves some breathing room heading into the final stretch of the regular season. But while the clinched title offers the luxury of managing reps and resting bodies, it also brings a fresh set of challenges-particularly on defense, where linebacker Nakobe Dean is once again dealing with an injury.
Dean exited Saturday’s game with a hamstring issue, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t sound overly optimistic about his availability this week. Fangio called Dean “iffy” for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills, while also suggesting that the team hasn’t seen the last of him this season. That’s encouraging for the long-term outlook, but in the short term, it leaves a significant hole in the middle of the Eagles’ defense-and a big opportunity for rookie Jihaad Campbell.
A Complicated First Year for Campbell
Campbell’s rookie season has been a rollercoaster, shaped in large part by Dean’s own injury timeline. Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon during last January’s playoff clash with the Green Bay Packers, prompting the Eagles to make a bold move in the draft. They traded up in April to snag Campbell in the first round, signaling their belief in his long-term potential.
Early on, Campbell looked like he belonged. In his first five games, he racked up 33 total tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and a pair of pass breakups. He was flying around the field, showing instincts and athleticism that made it clear why the Eagles were so high on him.
But once Dean returned to the lineup on October 9, Campbell’s role shrank dramatically. Dean quickly reclaimed his starting spot and made an impact, tallying 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble over 10 games. Alongside Zack Baun, who held down the other linebacker spot, Dean helped stabilize the Eagles’ second level.
As a result, Campbell’s snap count took a nosedive. After averaging nearly 63 snaps per game through the first seven weeks, that number dropped to just over 17 per game across the last eight. For a while, it looked like his rookie season was heading quietly toward the finish line.
Back in the Spotlight
That all changed on Saturday. After Dean left the game, Campbell logged 36 snaps-his most in a game since Week 7, according to Pro Football Focus.
While he wasn’t heavily involved as a pass rusher (just one snap in that role), he made the most of it, generating a pressure. It was his first pressure since Week 8 and a reminder of what he’s capable of when given the chance.
Now, with Dean’s status uncertain for Sunday’s showdown against the Bills, Campbell is in line for another extended look. This isn’t just a fill-in role-it’s a real opportunity to show how far he’s come since the start of the season.
The Eagles already know what Campbell can do in flashes. What they’ll be watching for now is consistency, maturity, and how he handles a high-leverage game against a dangerous opponent.
A Glimpse Into the Future?
Even if Dean returns before the playoffs, Sunday’s game could be a preview of what’s to come. Dean is set to hit free agency in the spring, and Campbell-still on a rookie deal-could be in line for a much larger role in 2026.
That makes this week more than just a spot start. It’s an audition.
For the Eagles, this is the kind of depth you want to see late in the season: a first-round rookie with untapped potential stepping into a meaningful role when the team needs it most. And for Campbell, it’s a chance to remind everyone why Philadelphia moved up to get him in the first place.
The NFC East crown is already in hand, but the Eagles still have plenty to learn about their roster before the postseason begins. Sunday’s game against the Bills could go a long way in determining just how ready Jihaad Campbell is to be a difference-maker-not just now, but in the seasons ahead.