New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots grinded out a 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, but they did not escape this game unscathed. Several players left the game early due to injuries, with rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s departure seeming to be the most concerning of the bunch.
Campbell appeared to get rolled up on in the third quarter, and after making his way to the sidelines, he ended up having to get carted to the locker room, which is never a good sign. While he was initially questionable to return, Vederian Lowe filled in at left tackle for the rest of the game.
New England has been holding its breath when it comes to an update on Campbell’s status, and one finally emerged on Monday morning, as it appears Campbell dodged a bullet by suffering an MCL sprain. While a stint on injured reserve appears likely, the hope is that he can return for a potential postseason run.
“Patriots LT Will Campbell is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain and will have an MRI on his knee, sources said,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported. “He’s a candidate for Injured Reserve, with the hope he returns when it counts the most.”
After getting selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Campbell has slotted in as the team’s starting left tackle from day one and become a key piece of the team’s offensive line. Losing him for an extended period of time with be a major loss, as the drop off from him to Lowe is quite substantial.
While tests are still being done on Campbell, it seems like he should have a shot at getting back on the field this season. With the chances of a deep playoff run seeming more and more likely, getting Campbell back would be a huge win for New England as the postseason draws near.
