will campbell patriots
Will Campbell is the New England Patriots’ young starting left tackle, a 2025 first‑round pick out of LSU who quickly became a key piece of their offensive line. In late November 2025 he suffered a significant knee injury (a Grade 3 MCL sprain) against the Bengals, was carted off, and placed on injured reserve, but reports indicated it was not expected to be season‑ending and that the team hoped to have him back for the playoff push.
Who Will Campbell Is
- American offensive tackle, born January 6, 2004.
- Starred at LSU, earning honors like the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and Consensus All‑American in 2024.
- Drafted fourth overall by the Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft, their highest‑picked offensive lineman since John Hannah in 1974.
- Joined New England in 2025 and slotted in immediately as their starting left tackle.
Role With The Patriots
- Started at left tackle and played over 98% of offensive snaps through the first 11 games of his rookie season.
- Viewed by the organization as Drake Maye’s long‑term blindside protector and a foundational piece of a revamped line.
- Scouting notes and early‑season analysis highlighted his athleticism , technical blocking, and leadership, even as he adjusted to NFL‑level edge rushers.
The Knee Injury And Latest News
- Injury occurred in Week 12 of the 2025 season during a 26–20 win over the Bengals when a defender landed on his leg at the end of a run.
- He was visibly emotional, went to the blue tent, then was carted off and ruled out for the rest of the game.
- Initial diagnosis: Grade 3 MCL sprain, essentially a torn MCL, typically a four‑to‑six‑week recovery window according to reporting cited in fan mailbag and podcast discussions.
- He was considered a candidate for injured reserve, partly to “protect him from himself” by ensuring he did not rush back too quickly.
- Team sentiment was that he could return “when it counts the most,” meaning late‑season/playoff games rather than being shut down for the year.
Fans and local media have treated the injury as a huge story because losing your franchise left tackle can derail an offense, but subsequent updates framed it as a “bullet dodged” rather than a catastrophic, season‑ending blow.
Forum & Media Discussion Vibes
“If this had been an ACL, we’re having a totally different conversation about the Pats’ season. A bad MCL sprain still hurts, but they can survive it if he’s back by the playoffs.”
Common themes in talk shows, podcasts, and mailbags:
- Whether the Patriots’ playoff ceiling changes without Campbell for several weeks.
- Debates about his rookie performance: some point to pressures allowed, others highlight how steady he’s been for a first‑year LT.
- Speculation on whether the line will reshuffle (e.g., help chips from tight ends, more quick‑game) while he’s out.
- Optimism fueled by locker‑room sightings of him walking without a big brace and only a sleeve on his knee.
Short Story‑Style Snapshot
Early in his first season, Will Campbell looked like exactly what New England hoped for: a nasty, confident left tackle from LSU anchoring a new era with Drake Maye. Then, in Week 12, he went down in a heap, surrounded by kneeling teammates, towel over his head as he was carted away, and every Pats fan feared they’d just watched their franchise tackle’s season vanish. The diagnosis—serious MCL, but not catastrophic—reset the mood: the Patriots would have to navigate a rough stretch without him, but the door stayed open for a return when games matter most.
Quick Fact Table (HTML)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Will Campbell, LT, New England Patriots | [3][5]
| Draft Info | 4th overall pick, 2025 NFL Draft (LSU) | [3]
| Role | Starting left tackle, projected long-term blindside protector for Drake Maye | [1]
| Injury | Grade 3 MCL sprain in left knee vs. Bengals, Week 12, 2025 | [7][8][1]
| Status Outlook | Placed on IR but expected to return later in the season/playoffs, not an ACL-style season-ender | [10][8][1]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.