New details emerge on injury suffered by Patriots star in Sunday’s win over Bengals
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News
ByFrank O'Laughlin, Boston 25 News
FOXBORO, Mass. — New details emerged Monday morning on the severity of the injury New England Patriots rookie Will Campbell suffered in his team’s Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio on Sunday.
The star left tackle is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain and will have an MRI on his knee, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported.
As for how long the 21-year-old standout lineman will be out?
“He’s a candidate for injured reserve, with the hope he returns when it counts the most,” Rapoport said in a post on X.
Patriots Bengals Football New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell, center, lies on the field after getting injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Campbell was injured in the third quarter when a Bengals player appeared to fall into his knee as the Patriots executed a run play with fellow rookie TreVeyon Henderson.
Campbell was initially helped to the sideline before being carted into the locker room for additional examination. He appeared to have tears in his eyes before placing a towel over his head.
Speaking during his official Monday morning news conference at Gillette Stadium, head coach Mike Vrabel said Campbell’s injury will likely result in a multi-week absence from the lineup.
“He won’t be out there this week. It’s going to be a couple weeks. We’ll have to make a decision here on the roster to see how long that will be and go from there,” Vrabel explained. “It’s nothing that’s going to, you know, hopefully put him out for the entire season.”
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Patriots Bengals Football New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell, center, lies on the field after getting injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
New England Patriots v New Orleans Saints - NFL 2025 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 12: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 12, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana."" (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v New Orleans Saints - NFL 2025 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 12: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots blocks for Drake Maye #10 during the NFL 2025 game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 12, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana."" (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Training Camp FOXBOROUGH, MA - JULY 28: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots sprays water on his face during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
New York Jets v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 13: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots leaves the field following a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2025 NFL Draft - Round 1 GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Offensive Tackle Will Campbell of LSU walks the stage prior to the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2025 NFL Draft - Round 1 GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Offensive Tackle Will Campbell of LSU celebrates after being selected fourth overall pick by the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
New York Jets v New England Patriots FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 13: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots watches action from the sideline during the second half of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2025 NFL Draft - Round 1 GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 24: Offensive Tackle Will Campbell of LSU poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected fourth overall pick by the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
New England Patriots v New Orleans Saints NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 12: Will Campbell #66 of the New England Patriots looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 12, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
NFL Scouting Combine INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Offensive lineman Will Campbell of the LSU Tigers poses for a portrait at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images) (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)
Starting left guard Jared Wilson, who has played upfront alongside Campbell all season, was also hurt in the game. He was carted off with an ankle injury after just three plays.
When asked about Wilson’s injury, Vrabel said that it’s “too soon to tell” how long he’ll be sidelined for.
“We’ll see how the week of practice goes, see how the rehab goes, and see how he responds there,” Vrabel said.
Vrabel noted the Patriots will need to adapt to a next-man-up mentality as the team navigates the injuries.
“We understand things change quickly and that everybody has to be on the ready,” Vrabel told reporters.
The Patriots, 10-2, currently sit atop the AFC and AFC East. They are also one win clear of the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos for the best record in the NFL.
They next host the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on Monday, December 1.
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