The New England Patriots are coming out of their Week 14 bye with cautious optimism - and a potentially massive boost on the horizon. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell, the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, is working his way back from a grade-three MCL sprain suffered in the Patriots’ Week 12 win over the Bengals. While he remains on injured reserve and isn’t eligible to return until Week 18, signs are pointing in the right direction.
And for New England, the timing couldn’t be better.
Bye Week Comes at the Perfect Time for Patriots and Campbell
Campbell was spotted in the locker room on Monday without a brace on his injured knee - a small but meaningful development for a player whose presence on the offensive line has been a game-changer this season. He eventually put a sleeve over the knee, but the absence of a bulky brace suggests real progress in his recovery. That’s a welcome sight for a Patriots team still very much in the playoff hunt and potentially eyeing a deep run.
The bye week gave Campbell a crucial window to rest and rehab without missing additional game action. While he still has to sit out at least three more games due to injured reserve rules, the extra week of downtime during this four-game absence could be the difference between rushing back and returning at full strength.
If things break right for New England - and that’s a big “if” considering the unpredictability of December football - Campbell could be back for the Week 18 matchup against the Dolphins. And if the Patriots can take care of business in the next three weeks and secure a playoff spot, that game might not even carry postseason implications. That would give Campbell six full weeks to recover, and potentially a seventh if New England earns the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye.
Campbell’s Impact Can’t Be Overstated
Let’s not underplay what Campbell has meant to this offensive line. He’s been one of the most consistent pieces in front of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, anchoring the blind side with a poise and physicality well beyond his years. According to Pro Football Focus, Campbell has allowed just 25 total pressures this season - 16 hurries, five sacks, and four hits - a rock-solid stat line for any tackle, let alone a first-year player adapting to NFL speed.
His absence has been felt, but his return could be a major turning point. The Patriots don’t just need bodies on the line - they need someone who can neutralize edge rushers, stabilize the pocket, and give Maye the time he needs to operate. That’s exactly what Campbell has provided all year.
Looking Ahead
The Patriots still have three games to navigate without their top rookie lineman, and nothing is guaranteed in the AFC playoff race. But the arrow is pointing up for Campbell’s recovery, and that’s a big deal. If New England can stay afloat and get him back in time for the postseason, they’ll be getting a key piece of their offensive puzzle back at just the right moment.
For now, all signs suggest that Campbell is on track. And if he returns anything close to the form he showed before the injury, Patriots fans have every reason to believe he’ll be ready to make a difference when it matters most.