Patriots left tackle Will Campbell is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain in Sunday's win over the Bengals.
Patriots left tackle Will Campbell is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain in Sunday's win over the Bengals.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots are expected to be without rookie left tackle Will Campbell for multiple games, a league source confirmed Monday.
Campbell, who exited Sunday’s win over the Bengals on a cart, is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, the source said. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday the team will have to make a decision this week on whether to place Campbell on injured reserve.
Vrabel indicated there is a possibility that Campbell can return to action this season. If the Patriots place him on IR by Saturday, Campbell would be eligible to return for the regular-season finale against the Dolphins.
“It’s nothing that’s going to, hopefully, put him out for the entire season,” Vrabel said.
In Campbell’s absence, the Patriots have two reserve options in Vederian Lowe and rookie Marcus Bryant. Lowe filled in for Campbell on Sunday and started at left tackle last season, while Bryant has multiple years of college experience at the position.
Vrabel said he wasn’t ready to make a decision on the lineup.
“I don’t know if I would have an accurate answer for you right now,” he said Monday. “Just where we’re at, we’ll probably go through the week of practice. I thought Vederian had a couple good plays. He hasn’t had to go in there for us, but I think everybody just has to be ready for their opportunity, and I thought he was for the most part.”
The banged-up Patriots left Cincinnati with a handful of other injuries, but Vrabel didn’t have many updates to share on Monday.
On left guard Jared Wilson, who left the game after New England’s third offensive play with a right ankle injury, Vrabel said it’s “probably too soon to tell” how long he will be sidelined. Wilson was spotted inside the locker room walking in a boot and using a crutch.
According to a league source, Wilson suffered a high-ankle sprain and will likely be sidelined for Monday night’s game against the Giants, if not longer. The Patriots will then have their bye week, before hosting the Bills on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Ben Brown, who started in place of Wilson in Week 4, would once again step up at left guard.
“We’ll see how the week of practice goes or see how the rehab goes and see how [Wilson] responds there,” Vrabel said.
On nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, who suffered a chest injury, and core special teamer Brenden Schooler, who suffered a left ankle injury, Vrabel didn’t have any news. Schooler was spotted in the locker room wearing a walking boot.
“No update there, other than we have a busy training staff this morning,” Vrabel said.
If Tonga has to miss time, New England’s run defense will take another big hit. The group already is playing without tackle Milton Williams, who is on IR with an ankle injury. Williams is eligible to return in Week 17 against the Jets.
Wednesday’s practice report will be informative and probably lengthy. The Patriots will then have the day off on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving, before returning to practice on Friday and Saturday. Players’ game designations will be available on Saturday.
“I think we’ll have to build the momentum back up this week with the way that we practice, the way we prepare,” Vrabel said. “The confidence that we gain in practice is really critical. There’s a new challenge, new opponent. We’ll have to make the corrections — and we can carry some things over from the game that we felt like we did well — but it’s each and every week in this league that you’ll have to go out there and be ready.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.