Pats Pulpit
While the New England Patriots are preparing for their potentially division-clinching game against the Buffalo Bills, their starting left tackle is continuing to rehab from the knee sprain that forced him onto injured reserve last month.
But even though Will Campbell is currently off the 53-man roster, he still is heavily involved in the proceedings. His replacement, fellow offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, said as much on Wednesday when asked about the rookie remaining an active part of the team despite his current injury absence.
“Will definitely knows that, for sure,” Lowe said. “He’s still around all the time, and he’s handling it really well. You wouldn’t even notice that this is his first year, but he’s handling it.”
The fourth overall selection in this year’s draft, Campbell started the Patriots’ first 12 games at left tackle and played over 98% of offensive snaps to start his first year in the NFL. However, he remained on the ground following a run play in the third quarter of his team’s game in Cincinnati in late November.
The LSU product eventually had to be carted to the locker room, where he was quickly ruled out. Follow-up evaluation revealed that Campbell had suffered a sprained MCL that would keep him out for the foreseeable future. It remains to be seen how long the 21-year-old will be sidelined — NFL rules prevent him from returning to action before Week 18 — but there is hope that he will be back at some point down the line.
Whenever that time comes, Lowe is certain that his young teammate will be in the best possible shape.
“Will’s doing a great job, working hard to get himself back,” he said. “He’s sticking around. He’s always around, watching the film with us, still in on the game plan. Just having the same routine. You know when he comes back, he’s going to be ready to roll. He’s handling it very well.”
