Zack Baun

He cleared concussion protocol and will, judging by online comments about the Eagles offense, spend 40 minutes Sunday morning throwing himself at Jaguars running backs who are trying to kill clock. Jihaad Campbell (knee) was also cleared.

This is Baun’s second limited practice this week. Fellow LB Jihaad Campbell (knee) resumed practicing in a limited capacity, but EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle) and S Marcus Epps (groin) remain sidelined.

Baun entered the league’s concussion protocol last week and was unable to practice at all. His return means he is making progress through the protocol and should be able to play in Week 5. On the other hand, fellow lineback Jihaad Campbell is not expected to practice with an unknown injury. It’s still a net positive injury report for Philly, but far from ideal.

Not ideal timing as they gear up to try to stop Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on the ground. Baun did not practice all week and his availability for Week 5 is in some question as things stand. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will likely get extra reps next to Jihaad Campbell, though Campbell is also questionable with a knee injury.

It’s less than ideal news for the Eagles’ every-down ‘backer with the team on a short week against the Rams. Teams seem to be getting players through the protocol faster than ever of late, but the Eagles’ six-day work week has play-making Baun firmly on the wrong side of questionable.

Baun, LB Jihaad Campbell (triceps) and Adoree’ Jackson (groin) all took the day off on Wednesday, which was slightly alarming given the Eagles’ other defensive injuries. Eagles OLB Nolan Smith (triceps) and CB Jakorian Bennett were placed on injured reserve yesterday. Baun, Campbell and Jackson should all be good to go for Week 4, barring setbacks.

Baun missed Wednesday with a knee issue, his first instance of an injury in 2025. Also out on Wednesday were LB Jihaad Campbell (triceps) and Adoree’ Jackson (groin). The Eagles’ front seven has been driven by Baun and Campbell’s contributions and absences in Week 4 would leave the middle of the field open for the Buccaneers. If Jackson misses time, Kelee Ringo is next in line for opportunities.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baun’s deal includes $34 million guaranteed and $1.5 million in incentives and escalators. Baun joined Philly on a one-year, $3.5 million contract last year. It proved to be one of many lucrative moves made by the Philly front office during the offseason. Baun led the Eagles with 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 TFLs and five forced fumbles. The veteran linebacker finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was one of the biggest reasons the Philadelphia defense returned to form after imploding in 2023. Needless to say, the Eagles weren’t going to let Baun anywhere near free agency. Now the reigning Super Bowl champions have him locked up through the 2027 season.

Baun was a first-team All Pro and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting as, essentially, a lightly-regarded free agent pickup in the 2024 offseason. The Eagles have been up front about how even they didn’t expect things to turn out this way for Baun — if they did, maybe they would have thought to build in a second year to the contract. Roseman said, when asked about how the team hasn’t traditionally valued linebacker: “To put us in a box and say...we’re not going to pay because we historically have not done that, part of what we do is evolve. We look at things and see how they’re affecting the team, see how they’re affecting the league, and our place in that.” Baun’s lack of track record might give teams some pause, but entering his age-29 season it’s hard to not call him the most impactful defender in free agency this offseason.

Baun was held out of Friday’s practice last week but returned for three full sessions this week. A day after finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, Baun is all clear with Super Bowl LIX two days away. Baun has been a breakout star for Philly, leading the team in tackles (151) while finishing second on the roster in TFLs (11) during the regular season.

Fantastic news. Baun gave Eagles fans a scare when he appeared on last Friday’s injury report as a non-participant, but his full return indicates his groin issue was mild. The star linebacker can safely be expected to suit up this weekend.

This is a situation to monitor closely. Baun leads all Eagles defenders in both solo tackles (136) and tackles for loss or no gain (19). The star linebacker has a little over a week to rehab the injury. Next week’s injury report should help clarify the injury’s severity.