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Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) and safety Sydney Brown (21) break up a pass play to New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
On Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> return to the nest at Lincoln Financial Field<\/a> for a football game for the first time since the 2025 NFC Championship<\/a>, a 55-23 dismantling of the Washington Commanders. The matchup against Cincinnati is the first of three tune-up clashes before the NFL regular season gets underway when the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on September 4, 2025<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow<\/a> and the rest of his starters are expected to play \u201cseveral series\u201d in the preseason opener<\/a>.\u00a0 This should provide a good test for a new-look Eagles defense looking to move on after a large amount of turnover this offseason. Here are five Birds players to keep an eye on during the Eagles\u2019 first game action in six months.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sydney Brown, Safety<\/p>\n Brown enters his third NFL training camp <\/a>with 25 NFL contests and 38 tackles under his cleats, in addition to four NFL playoff games in 2024. He has the first chance to impress for his starting position in the safety group alongside Reed Blankenship<\/a>. Brown is competing against second-rounder Drew Makuba for the starting safety role in Vic Fangio\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n Mukuba<\/a>, a second-round selection by the Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft, was sidelined for the start of camp but returned to team activities on August 5. Given his recent return to practice, Mukuba is more likely see action in the Eagles\u2019 second preseason game on August 16 against the Cleveland Browns.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker\u00a0<\/p>\n Campbell slipped down the draft board to Philadelphia at #31\u00a0 due to injury concerns<\/a>. After missing rookie activities, the Eagles\u2019 first-rounder looks healthy and has opened eyes during training camp workouts at the NovaCare Complex.<\/p>\n Campbell\u2019s combination of size, speed, athleticism, and toughness<\/a> has given Nick Sirianni and his coaching staff every reason to consider looking at him in live game action. As of press time on Wednesday afternoon, it is still unknown if Campbell will play in the first preseason contest against Cincinnati. <\/p>\n Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Linebacker\u00a0<\/p>\n Look for Trotter Jr.<\/a> in the lineup, particularly if the Eagles hold Campbell out of action. Trotter Jr. recorded 25 tackles, including nine solo takedowns, in 17 regular-season games in 2024. In the postseason, the linebacker registered five tackles, including four solo stops, in the four-game winning streak that ended in a win at Super Bowl LIX<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n With starters expected to see first-quarter action, Thursday\u2019s preseason opener could be a good gauge for where Trotter Jr. stacks up against worthy competition entering his sophomore campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n Johnny Wilson,\u00a0Wide Receiver<\/p>\n With names like A.J. Brown<\/a>, DeVonta Smith, and\u00a0 Jahan Dotson<\/a> having locked up the top of the wide receiver depth chart, players such as Wilson, Elijah Cooks, Ainias Smith<\/a>, and Terrace Marshall will be battling for the final three spots available on the Eagles roster at the WR position.<\/p>\n Wilson<\/a> enters his second pro season following five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown during the 2024 regular season. The 6-foot-6 wideout spent the offseason trying to get experience as a slot receiver and a blocking wideout, two areas the Eagles used his size to exploit mismatches against NFL defenses last season. <\/p>\n Kyle McCord, Quarterback<\/p>\n The 22-year-old QB from Mount Laurel, New Jersey<\/a>, should see second-half action against the Bengals. He is competing against Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the QB3 position in the depth chart. Tanner McKee has pole position on the backup quarterback situation behind Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Eagles\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-04-25T034358Z_270272638_MT1USDAYNETNJP83162204007_FRTPIP_4_USA-TODAY-NETWORK.jpg\")
Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates after sacking Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer (8) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News<\/p>\n