The New England Patriots' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12 came at a significant cost. Star offensive lineman Will Campbell suffered a severe knee injury during the game, casting a shadow over the team's dominant performance. The talented player, crucial for protecting quarterback Drake Maye's blind side, has been sidelined ever since, leaving fans anxious about his condition and return.
Severity of the Injury Revealed by Insiders
NFL insiders have now provided crucial details about the nature of Campbell's injury. According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who spoke on NBC Sports Boston's pregame coverage, the player is dealing with a Grade 3 MCL sprain. This diagnosis essentially means his Medial Collateral Ligament is torn.
Breer clarified that this is a very significant injury that typically requires a four-to-six week recovery period. He emphasized that this is not a minor setback, and the Patriots are likely being cautious by placing him on Injured Reserve (IR). "I think in a certain way, the Patriots put him on IR, trying to look out for him and trying to make sure that he does go through as full a recovery as you can in season," Breer stated, highlighting the risk of aggravating the injury by returning too soon.
Projected Return Timeline Before Playoffs
The big question on every Patriots supporter's mind is: when will Will Campbell be back on the field? While neither the team nor the player has officially confirmed a date, insiders have offered a projected window.
Albert Breer mentioned that the team's goal is to get him back for the last game of the regular season, though he noted that "even that may be pushing it a little bit." The recovery is firmly pegged at four to six weeks.
Adding to this, ESPN's respected insider Jeremy Fowler provided a broader outlook. He linked Campbell's return with that of teammate Milton Williams, stating, "Both should be back before the playoffs." Fowler praised Campbell's ferocious protection of Drake Maye and acknowledged that how the Patriots manage without him in the interim will be critical to watch.
Impact on the Patriots' Dominant Run
The Patriots have continued to perform strongly despite Campbell's absence. However, losing a key protector for franchise quarterback Drake Maye is always a concern. Campbell's "ferocity" on the offensive line, as noted by Fowler, has been a cornerstone of their success this season.
His eventual return, ideally just in time for a postseason push, would be a massive boost for the team's Super Bowl aspirations. For now, the organization and fans must exercise patience, ensuring the star player heals completely to avoid any long-term complications from this brutal knee injury.
