Eagles Weigh Edge Role for Rookie Jihaad Campbell After Za’Darius Smith’s Retirement

Overview

• Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said it is possible Jihaad Campbell will play on the edge and noted Nakobe Dean’s return makes that easier.
• Philadelphia has nine sacks through six games, and its healthy edge group of Patrick Johnson, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Jalyx Hunt has combined for one sack.
• Pro Football Focus charts Campbell with 80 of his 380 defensive snaps aligned on the line this season, and his production includes roughly 40 tackles with turnover plays.
• Za’Darius Smith had averaged 26 snaps per game before retiring this week, and Fangio said those reps will be absorbed by the current rotation.
• Dean was activated in Week 6 but played only on special teams, and the staff could test new combinations as early as Sunday at Minnesota.