New England Patriots left tackle Will Campbell is out with an MCL sprain in his right knee, a source told ESPN on Tuesday. Campbell got hurt during the second quarter of Sunday’s Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders when a Raiders defender tackled running back Rhamondre Stevenson into his leg.s Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders when a Raiders defender tackled running back Rhamondre Stevenson into his leg.
Campbell, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2025, is expected to miss game action because of the injury. He has allowed just one sack this season while anchoring New England’s offensive line.
What The Source Said About The Will Campbell MCL Sprain
The person who disclosed Campbell’s diagnosis to ESPN described the sprain as believed to be less severe than the Grade 3 torn MCL he suffered on the same knee last November. That earlier injury lingered into the postseason, when Campbell returned before he was fully healed and struggled to protect quarterback Drake Maye. No specific return timetable or MRI confirmation has been reported, and the Patriots have not issued a public statement on Campbell’s status.
Who Replaces Campbell At Left Tackle
Rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu, a left tackle out of Utah, is the top candidate to start while Campbell recovers. Lomu already got game reps filling in after Campbell went down against the Raiders, and head coach Mike Vrabel offered a brief assessment of how he handled the moment.
“I don’t think it was too big for him. You didn’t really notice him a lot, so I think that’s probably a good thing,” Vrabel said.
New England could also lean on 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant, who became eligible to return to practice after the Patriots placed him on injured reserve with a designation to return. Bryant had been rolled up on during a preseason game before landing on IR.
Patriots’ Injury Toll This Season
Campbell’s injury adds to a lineup already thinned by injuries. New England has placed 19 players on injured reserve this season, already surpassing the team’s total of 17 for all of last year. Running back TreVeyon Henderson is also out multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, compounding the attrition on New England’s offense.
Campbell’s one sack allowed this season reflects the level of play the Patriots will need to replicate from whoever lines up at left tackle in his absence, whether that is Lomu or Bryant once healthy.
What’s Next For New England
The Patriots host the New York Jets in their next game, with Campbell’s status for that matchup still unclear given the lack of a confirmed return timeline. New England will need its next man up at left tackle to protect Maye against a division opponent as the team continues to navigate a growing list of injuries this season.
More NFL news from Total Apex Sports.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
