Patriots Tackle Campbell Faces Time Off After Knee Sprain vs. Raiders

Key points

• Will Campbell suffered a knee sprain during the Patriots' 45-17 win over the Raiders and is expected to miss multiple games.
• Campbell, the 2025 No. 4 overall pick, had allowed only 11 pressures in his first five games of the season.
• Rookie Caleb Lomu replaced Campbell and recorded just one pressure on 29 pass-blocking snaps, with no penalties in 49 total snaps.
• The Patriots currently have 10 players on injured reserve, limiting their ability to return players to the active roster.
• Other players injured in the game include running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle), defensive tackle Cory Durden, edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder), and cornerback Charles Woods (shoulder).

Background

Campbell previously suffered an MCL sprain in Week 12 of the 2025 season, which placed him on injured reserve for four games. He returned for the playoffs but struggled to regain full form. The Patriots have faced a series of injury challenges this season, including wide receiver A.J. Brown's high-ankle sprain in Week 4. The team's current injured reserve list includes 10 players, with a limit of eight returns during the regular season, creating a complex roster management situation.

How outlets are covering it

98.5 The Sports Hub and Pats Pulpit both emphasize the severity of Campbell's injury and the immediate impact on the Patriots' offensive line. Pats Pulpit highlights the historical context of Campbell's previous MCL injury, noting his struggles upon return last season. NBC Sports focuses on the broader implications for the Patriots' roster, particularly the constraints of the injured reserve list. All sources agree that Caleb Lomu is the likely replacement, with PFF's charting showing his strong performance in Campbell's absence. The outlets differ slightly in their emphasis: 98.5 The Sports Hub and Pats Pulpit focus on the immediate injury and replacement, while NBC Sports provides a broader view of the team's roster challenges.

Why it matters

Campbell's injury is a significant blow to the Patriots' offensive line, as he had been performing exceptionally well this season. His absence could impact the team's ability to protect the quarterback and sustain the offense. The injury also complicates the Patriots' roster management, given the current number of players on injured reserve. The performance of Caleb Lomu in Campbell's absence is a positive sign, but the long-term impact of Campbell's injury on the team's season remains uncertain.

What to watch

Campbell will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the knee sprain. The Patriots will need to decide whether to place him on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The team will also need to manage their injured reserve list, given the current number of players on it. Caleb Lomu is expected to continue as the starting left tackle for the remainder of the season, pending Campbell's recovery.