PHILADELPHIA -- First-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell took first-team reps alongside All-Pro Zack Baun on Wednesday, the 18th and final day of Eagles training camp at NovaCare Complex.
Campbell, a native of Gloucester Township, N.J., whom the Birds traded up to select 31st out of Alabama in April, didn't see action in minicamp or OTAs; he was recovering from shoulder surgery. But this summer, he has made a splash.
"Since he got here -- he wasn't doing much in the spring, and we didn't know exactly what he was -- he's grown in every area, rushing the passer, setting edges, playing inside backer," Eagles inside linebackers coach Bobby King said. "He's doing a nice job and getting better every day."
With Nakobe Dean (patellar tendon) on the PUP list, Campbell has been competing with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for the second inside linebacker spot. It was previously occupied by Baun, who had a breakout season last year and moved up to wear the green dot (signal caller) after Dean was injured.
It's all but official that Campbell has won the job.
"He's an eager kid to learn," King added. "Every day, he comes in with great questions. He's awesome in the meetings. ... He comes in prepared. There will be stuff that I haven't even thought of or haven't covered. ... He's getting better, he really is. We've put a lot on his plate, but he's handled it very well.
"One of the main things was, these guys in college, when they get to me, sometimes they're born without arms. I wanted to see if this guy would use these, and he uses those. And he uses them with bad intentions sometimes, and that's what I like to see. I always said, you've got to meet me halfway with taking on blocks, and he's done a nice job with that -- from the beginning.
"(Players) don't use their hands a lot in college very well, so sometimes it's hard to project these guys in the pros," King explained. "And so far, he's done a nice job with that."
Trotter has had an impressive camp as well, showing remarkable strides since last year. He recorded 13 combined tackles against the Bengals and Browns in the first two preseason games, and he'd likely start on most teams. But Campbell has shown more big-play ability and perhaps a greater upside as he's gotten more reps. He nearly had an interception in Wednesday's practice; against the Browns, he had four tackles and a sack.
"I'm still climbing the mountain, just like everybody," Campbell said. "And I think that's the biggest thing, and it's very blessful. You know what I'm saying? I always appreciate God and thank God any chance I get.
"Just learning and growing and just improving and really, you know, being better than you was yesterday, I think that's the biggest goal. And always just being where your feet are. Don't worry about next week. Don't worry about last week. Don't worry about today. Worry about what's going on right now and how to just execute it at 110 percent.
Dean did some rehab drills Wednesday, running backwards and moving laterally, and appeared unincumbered. His contract is up at the end of the season, which has led to some outside speculation that he may be expendable if Cambell pans out. But the coaches love the 24-year-old.
"He looks good," King said. "He looks like Nakobe to me. He doesn't look hampered at all. ... We don't do the things we did on defense last year without 17. We know what he is as a guy, as a player, all that stuff. He's almost like a frickin' coach right now. You have to be prepared to talk to Nakobe every day, because he's so frickin' smart. And he's doing a nice job of helping everybody else."
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More on Metchie: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni discussed newly acquired receiver John Metchie III, a second-round draft pick in 2022 whom the Eagles got in a trade with the Texans on Sunday, sending tight end Harrison Bryant to Houston.
"I really liked him coming out (of college)," Sirianni said. "We have a bunch of Alabama guys on the roster, so (I was) talking to those guys. As you'd see in Alabama games when he came out of college, obviously he made a lot of plays there. So, I was always a fan of his game. Being able to watch him, he is quick. He is very quick.
"The thing that really stood out to me is how tough he is, with how he blocks, how he finishes on the sideline with the ball in his hands. You can tell they all got coached by the same guys in college. There are some similarities to how they finish with that ball in their hands to (WR) DeVonta (Smith). Just always been a fan of his game and excited about the things that he can add to this football team."
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Injury update: Wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) didn't practice but did some soft sprints and also threw passes to receivers during individual drills. He is expected to be ready for the season opener in two weeks.
Others who did not practice: LG Landon Dickerson (knee), WR DeVonta Smith (groin), LT Jordan Mailata (concussion), QB Tanner McKee (finger), S Andrew Mukuba (hamstring), WR Johnny Wilson (knee/ankle), CB Kelee Ringo (quad), LB Josh Uche (groin), S Lewis Cine (groin), CB Tariq Castro-Fields (hamstring) and S Brandon Johnson.
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Transit issues: Amid a funding crisis and major cutbacks, SEPTA expects significant delays for fans traveling to and from Lincoln Financial Field for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, Sept. 4., particularly after the game.
"The opener on Sept. 4, just to put it bluntly, will be chaotic," SEPTA general manager Scott Sauer testified in a Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on Wednesday, according to 6abc.com.
SEPTA usually runs an additional 10 trains to accommodate the 14,000 to 17,000 fans who leave the stadium within an hour. That number will drop to four.
"All those extra trips are out," SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. "We can't run any extra service."
SEPTA officials also warned that other big events could be affected, including potential Phillies playoff games, concerts, and the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament next June. The transit agency projected approximately 500,000 additional people will be in the city during the World Cup, with a third attending matches.
Adding to the transportation woes surrounding Eagles games has been the city's penchant for shutting down the Broad Street exit on I-95 North. The move created a 3-hour backup on 95 for the Eagles/Bengals preseason matchup on Aug. 7, causing many drivers to abandon their trip to the stadium. Others never made it to a show by comedian Nate Bargatze, which took place at Xfinity Mobile Arena (formerly Wells Fargo Center) around the same time as the game.
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NOTES >> The Eagles signed linebacker Chance Campbell and released wide receiver Giles Jackson. Campbell (6-6, 232) was drafted in the sixth round out of Ole Miss in 2022 by the Tennessee Titans, where he played for King. Jackson (5-9, 187) was a rookie free agent. He played college ball at Michigan and Washington. ... Baun debuted at 26th on the NFL Top 100, which is voted on by the players. ... Cutdown to the 53-man roster is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ... The final preseason game is Friday at the New York Jets (7:30 p.m., NBC 10, 94.1-WIP AM). ... The next time the Eagles hit the practice field, it will be in preparation for opening night against the Dallas Cowboys.