In the cold, unforgiving world of the NFL, the sight of a player being carted off the field is a gut punch. For the New England Patriots, that moment came on Sunday when starting Left Tackle Will Campbell went down with a right knee injury. The image was bleak: the No. 4 overall pick, a towel draped over his head, looking like his rookie season was toast.
But hold on a second. In a surprising twist, Patriots fans can collectively exhale. Coach Mike Vrabel delivered some cautiously optimistic news on Monday. While Campbell might be heading to injured reserve, it doesn’t sound like a season-ender.
“It’s nothing that’s going to, hopefully, put him out for the entire season,” Vrabel said. That is the kind of news that feels like finding a twenty in your winter coat. Everyone in Foxborough feared the worst, and who could blame them? When you see the cart, you think the worst. Now, it seems like they’ve dodged a major bullet.
What’s Next For Campbell and the Patriots?
So, what’s the real deal with Campbell’s knee? Vrabel hinted at a knee sprain during his weekly WEEI interview. “Sprains have different severities. So sprains, strain, not sure,” he said. I just wouldn’t anticipate him being out there Monday [against the Giants].”
What we do know is that the Patriots‘ offensive line, a bastion of stability that started the same five guys in 10 of the first 11 games, is now officially in scramble mode. It is not just Campbell; starting Left Guard Jared Wilson also got a scenic tour of the stadium via cart after an ankle injury. Vrabel said it was “probably too soon to tell” about Wilson’s status.
The Domino Effect Of Injuries
Losing your starting left tackle and left guard in the same game is the football equivalent of your car getting a flat tire while you’re already late for a wedding. Campbell has been a rock, playing nearly every offensive snap this season. He and Wilson were the first rookie duo to start at left guard and left tackle since the dial-up era of 2000. Now, veterans Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown are stepping in, tasked with protecting MVP candidate Drake Maye.
The injury bug didn’t stop there. All-Pro special teamer Brenden Schooler (ankle) and Defensive Tackle Khyiris Tonga (chest) also couldn’t finish the game. Tonga was only starting because Milton Williams landed on IR a week ago. It is a revolving door of bad luck.
The Patriots will limp into their “Monday Night Football” showdown against the Giants before a much-needed bye week. After that, it’s a gauntlet: Bills, Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins. Getting Campbell back for that stretch run could be the difference-maker. For now, New England holds its breath, hoping their star rookie’s recovery is swift and their season’s hopes don’t crumble along with their offensive line.
