Although they’re 4-2 and the best team in the NFC East, it's been a rocky start to the season for the Philadelphia Eagles. They have been struggling to produce on offense, and their defense has been hit or miss.
After a humiliating loss to the New York Giants in Week 6, in which rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo ran rampant on a depleted Eagles defense missing defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was out due to a heel injury, the Eagles need to figure out a solution to their problems.
Heading into Week 7 with Carter questionable to play, the Eagles will also be without defensive end Za’Darius Smith, who decided to retire mid-season, leaving them down an edge rusher.
With Smith retiring and Carter hurt, the Eagles don’t have a strong backup group of defensive ends. Moro Ojomo, Byron Young and Azeez Ojulari are expected to take on Smith’s snaps. Sirianni addressed his depth in his meeting with the media on Monday, and he didn’t shoot down the idea of linebacker Jihaad Campbell possibly taking reps as an edge rusher.
"I think that we have a lot of versatility there and that we have a really good linebacker room altogether,” Sirianni said, via Zach Berman of The Athletic. “We look at everything. We look at everything that we can do to help our team be as successful as we possibly can. So again, we'll see. I'm not going to talk through some of those things, obviously. I think you guys respect that with not giving opponents any information or anything like that. But really excited about the room. Excited to get Nakobe back in there rolling because we know the type of player he is."
Linebacker Nakobe Dean is currently in his 21-day window since getting activated from the physically unable to play list, and is supposed to play against the Giants on Oct. 26. If Dean can contribute against the Vikings this week, Sirianni could move Campbell around.
Drafted in the first round (31st overall) out of the University of Alabama, Campbell could be a more productive player for the Eagles on defense as an edge rusher. Putting together a solid season so far with 22 solo tackles, one forced fumble and one interception, Campbell’s skill set suits him to move over.
One of Campbell’s strengths is his "burst and work-around ability to threaten as a rusher,” per NFL.com analysis Lance Zierlein, while his ability to read “the passing lane” could help him when getting after the quarterback.
With the NFL trade deadline around the corner (Nov. 4), general manager Howie Roseman could also acquire someone to have a little extra insurance at the position if Campbell is unable to step up to the challenge or if the Eagles simply prefer to keep the rookie at his natural position.
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