Patriots place star offensive player on IR with knee injury heading into the stretch
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The New England Patriots just lost a key piece of their offense as they head down the stretch.
Head coach Mike Vrabel announced Wednesday that the team placed star left tackle Will Campbell, the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, on IR with a knee injury.
The 21-year-old was carted off the field during the third quarter of the team’s 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Campbell will be eligible to return for the team’s Week 18 game against the Miami Dolphins. Vederian Lowe is expected to start in his place.
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Will Campbell of the New England Patriots after a game against the Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium in Newsborough, Massachusetts, on October 26, 2025. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Patriots are 10-2, winning nine straight games and leading the AFC East. They play the Buffalo Bills, second in the AFC East with a 7-4 record, in Week 15, a game Campbell will miss.
A big reason for the Patriots’ turnaround (they went 4-13 last season) is the team’s revamped offensive line.
In 2024, the team’s Week 1 offensive linemen included Chukwuma Okorafor at left tackle, Michael Jordan at left guard, David Andrews at center, Layden Robinson at right guard and Michael Onwenu at right tackle.
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New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell, center, lies on the field after being injured during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on Nov. 23, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
During the offseason, the team made additions to the offensive line both through the NFL Draft and free agency. In 2025, their Week 1 offensive line consisted of Campbell at left tackle, Jared Wilson at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Onwenu at right guard and Morgan Moses at right tackle.
The remade offensive line has been instrumental in second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s rise to this year’s MVP conversation.
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Maye, 23, leads the NFL in completion percentage (71%) and yards (3,130) while throwing 21 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games. One of the main reasons for this increase in production is improved protection.
However, Maye might also miss Wilson. The left guard also left the team’s victory over the Bengals injured.
It’s unclear if Wilson will be able to play against the New York Giants (2-10) on Monday.
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for News Digital.