Can Will Campbell Return This Season? Injury Timeline Revealed for Patriots Star

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed on Wednesday the team is placing offensive tackle Will Campbell on injured reserve.

The 2025 first-round pick will miss a minimum of four games. He could potentially return ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Vrabel was optimistic earlier this week that Campbell didn't suffer a season-ending knee injury in the 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

That's a much better outlook than fans initially imagined when Campbell was carted off the field.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has taken a big step forward in his second season. He's leading the NFL in both completion percentage (71.0) and passing yards (3,130)

Maye's success isn't necessarily down to a difference in his pass protection. He has been sacked three more times (37) compared to 2024, and the 2.4 seconds he's averaging in the pocket are almost equal to last year, per Pro Football Reference.

Still, Campbell has acquitted himself nicely on the left side of the line. The impact of his injury is magnified because left guard Jared Wilson also suffered an ankle injury in the Bengals win. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Wilson should at least return to the field much earlier.

The Patriots are sitting atop the AFC at 10-2, so they're well on track to make the playoffs.

Campbell's absence shouldn't cause the team's results to take a nosedive. The offense will need him once the postseason rolls around, though, so having him back by Week 18 would be a nice boost.