
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell is believed to have suffered a knee sprain in Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The second-year left tackle will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the extent of the injury. Rapoport reported that the setback is expected to force Campbell to miss some time.
The injury occurred in the second quarter when a player fell onto Campbell’s right leg. Medical staff evaluated him on the field, and he spent time on the sideline riding a stationary bike while testing the leg before heading to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
This marks a recurrence of trouble in the same knee. Campbell suffered a grade 3 MCL sprain in Week 12 of last season against the Cincinnati Bengals, an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. He returned for the playoffs but struggled against top defensive fronts.
The Patriots’ offensive line was already dealing with significant absences. Starting guard Mike Onwenu and backup Greg Van Roten are both on injured reserve, limiting depth and continuity up front. The team has placed 19 players on injured reserve this season, already exceeding the 17 from all of last year.
Rookie tackle Caleb Lomu entered after Campbell exited and delivered a strong outing in his place. According to Pro Football Focus data, Lomu handled 29 pass-blocking snaps, allowing zero sacks, zero quarterback hits and only one pressure. He posted a 98.0 pass-block efficiency rating for the game.
Quarterback Drake Maye was pressured on just 39.5 percent of his dropbacks despite the mid-game change at left tackle. The Patriots rolled to a 45-17 victory, with Maye accounting for multiple touchdowns in the rout.
Lomu, the team’s 2026 first-round pick out of Utah, had seen primarily backup and specialty work earlier in the season. His performance against the Raiders suggests he is prepared for a larger role if Campbell remains out.
The injury further thins an offensive line that has battled inconsistency and attrition. With Onwenu and Van Roten already sidelined, the unit has relied on multiple backups, including Lomu shifting from his usual right-side work.
Campbell’s absence would test the group’s ability to protect Maye over the coming weeks. The Patriots face a challenging schedule ahead, and consistent line play has been a priority after early-season struggles.
Team officials have not yet commented extensively on the MRI results or a precise timeline. The initial report from Rapoport indicates a multi-game absence is the likely outcome pending further evaluation.
Campbell walked off the field with trainers and was later seen testing the leg on the sideline before the final ruling. His status for next week’s game remains uncertain until the imaging is complete.
The Patriots also lost running back TreVeyon Henderson to an ankle injury in the same game, compounding the offensive setbacks on a day when the team still managed a decisive win.
Depth at tackle will be critical in Campbell’s absence. Lomu’s clean performance in extended snaps provides an immediate option, though the long-term effects on the line’s cohesion remain to be seen.
Fans and coaches will watch the MRI results closely, as the recurrence in the previously injured knee raises questions about recovery time and Campbell’s availability down the stretch.
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