5:19 PM: The NFL life is a journey, filled with twists and turns and unexpected fits and starts. And rookie Jihaad Campbell, the Eagles' first-round draft pick this spring, is experiencing one heck of a ride right now. After starting for most of his first season, Campbell's snaps in the defense have decreased since Nakobe Dean returned.

Campbell, who did not play a defensive snap on Friday against Chicago and instead has seen his playing time on special teams, is embracing the lessons.

"I'm learning every day and improving each and every day. When that opportunity comes again, I'm going to be ready. You have to stay ready in this game," Campbell said on Friday. "At the end of the day, it's about having a winning mentality. That's what the Philadelphia Eagles are all about. It's about preparing yourself, so I'm staying ready physically, mentally, and emotionally.

"I'm keeping my focus and staying ready."

Special teams is where Campbell has been getting his playing time and he's enjoying that aspect of the game.

"It's fun," he said. "I feel like people don't think a lot about special teams, but the guys out there are working hard and trying to make a difference in the game, trying to change things. That's a third of the things that matter in the game."

Campbell has played 526 defensive snaps, 65 percent of the defenses time on the field. He has eight starts, the end zone interception against Tampa Bay, 52 tackles, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble.

The future is bright for Campbell, everyone agrees. He is keeping his outlook positive.

"Always upbeat, always looking to play and go out and have fun," he said. "I'm going to be ready when I'm called on and that's just the way I'm going to approach things always." — Dave Spadaro

Thursday, December 4

5:58 PM: Defensive tackle Jalen Carter missed Thursday's practice with injuries to both shoulders and could be sidelined against the Chargers on Monday night. The Eagles have a deep defensive tackle room, and with Carter, who plays more than 70% of the defensive snaps, potentially missing time, there could be more on the plates of players like Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young, and Ty Robinson.

"I think that we've got a defense of a lot of guys that want opportunity and want to play hard and you know I think we're just excited to have that opportunity," Ojomo said. "Obviously a little sad for Jalen not to be there, but I think he should get right and get his body feeling as good as possible and we're gonna be ready when he comes back.

"[My snaps] probably go up maybe a little bit, but I think that we have the greatest organization and they'll help me be put in the best possible situation to handle that workload."

The Eagles have played two games already this season without Carter, Week 1 against the Cowboys and Week 6 versus the Giants. In those games, Ojomo had two of his three highest snap counts of his season, but this time he feels the team will be more prepared with extra time to get ready.

"Both times were kind of last-second things," Ojomo said about Carter being ruled out. "Now we kind of have maybe more of a game plan, more of an idea going into it, so we're more aware and ready to perform." – Written by Matt Ryan

Monday, December 1

12:00 AM: Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) hand during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Los Angeles Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced after the game that Herbert will undergo surgery on Monday.

The Chargers, however, are optimistic that Herbert will play against the Eagles on Monday Night Football.

"I'm treating it as if I'm playing on Monday," Herbert told reporters, according to Chargers.com.

"He's as tough as they come," Harbaugh added. "Taped it up, glove, and played a great game."

But it's not a guarantee that Herbert will suit up.

"We'll see where the week takes us," Harbaugh said.

Herbert missed just eight plays as backup Trey Lance came in at quarterback. Los Angeles kept Herbert in pistol and shotgun formations to avoid contact at the line of scrimmage. Harbaugh said Lance would have entered the game in any goal-line situations.

Herbert finished 15-of-20 for 151 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the 31-14 win to improve Los Angeles' record to 8-4. The Chargers are currently the top Wild Card team in the AFC.

With Herbert limited, the Chargers relied on their rushing attack to the tune of 43 carries (tied for most this season) for 192 yards (second most this season) and two touchdowns. Kimani Vidal had a career-high 126 rushing yards on 25 attempts, including a 59-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to break a 7-7 tie. It was the longest rushing score by a Chargers player since 2022. – Chris McPherson