Cincinnati, Ohio. Today.
Just as the New England Patriots hadn’t even finished celebrating their 26-20 victory over the Bengals, they were dealt the heaviest blow of the season so far. The two most important pillars on the left side of the offensive line – LT Will Campbell and LG Jared Wilson – both suffered serious injuries and are in danger of missing the rest of the season. For a team that is building its future around Drake Maye, losing both “steel walls” at the same time has created a heavy atmosphere in the locker room.
According to post-game reports, Will Campbell – the highly-touted No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft – suffered a right knee injury after a pull to the left while helping on a 4-yard run and having an opposing player fall on his leg. Campbell was carted off the field, towel over his head, amid concern from his teammates. He left Paycor Stadium with a full-leg black immobilizer brace – a sign that this could be a long-term injury.
This was the Will Campbell play. Obviously not good. pic.twitter.com/OcxW5o9PwM
https://twitter.com/i/status/1992692628232745253
It didn’t stop there. As early as the first half, Jared Wilson – who has paired with Campbell and been an extremely steady rookie for all 11 weeks – suffered an ankle injury, was carted off, and left the stadium in a walking boot. According to medical staff, Wilson’s injury could sideline him for many weeks or even longer, depending on how it progresses in the coming days. The absence of both players means the Patriots have lost the entire structure of the left side that has been vital in protecting Maye.
Looks like a right ankle injury for Jared Wilson, though how he injured it isn’t clear from this replay pic.twitter.com/6rhMTSp1VD
https://twitter.com/i/status/1992656245019582854
Team personnel are trying to stay optimistic, but the images on the field said it all. The replacements – Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown – gave everything they had, but the stability was clearly no longer the same. Inside the Patriots organization, they acknowledge that the recovery timeline for Campbell and Wilson remains uncertain and further MRI scans are needed within the next 48 hours. This could become the turning point that decides the team’s playoff race.
In the post-game press conference, head coach Mike Vrabel could not hide his somber expression when talking about his two young pillars. “Sometimes football is really cruel. We were building the future around these guys, and seeing them go down like that… it feels like my heart is being squeezed. I just hope they know the whole team will be waiting for them to come back. Not because we need them to win, but because they are part of the soul of this locker room.”
