The Patriots’ season hit a devastating speed bump this Sunday. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell, the franchise’s 4th overall pick, left the Bengals game on a cart with a knee injury.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) is examined with an injury in the third quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The Bengals fall to 3-8 with a 26-20 loss at home.
New England Patriots offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) is examined with an injury in the third quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The Bengals fall to 3-8 with a 26-20 loss at home.
The worst part? A towel covered his head as he departed. He has been Drake Maye’s blindside protector all season, playing 98.3% of offensive snaps. Without Campbell, the franchise QB’s protection scheme looks extremely thin.
Panicked fans have already started calling it an “operational failure” that could tank their playoff push.
Patriots LT Will Campbell Leaves Game Injured
The injury setback hit the team with 4:48 left in the third quarter during TreVeyon Henderson’s pitch play. Bengals defensive end Cedric Johnson dove for Henderson and collided with Campbell’s right leg. The rookie was done for the game.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news fast, reporting, “Patriots LT Will Campbell is being carted to their locker room.”
Patriots LT Will Campbell is being carted to their locker room.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 23, 2025
Trainers rushed to Campbell as his teammates kneeled around him. He managed to walk slowly to the blue medical tent before being taken away on a cart. The Patriots initially listed him as questionable to return, but he was officially ruled out in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Mike Vrabel offered no immediate update during postgame media availability. “I don’t have an update on anybody right now, unfortunately,” he said with notable sarcasm about their injury luck.
Veteran Vederian Lowe stepped in for Campbell at left tackle, but the bigger problem? Rookie Jared Wilson also left the game with an ankle injury, leaving the entire left side of New England’s offensive line wiped out in one afternoon.
So, fans are genuinely worried about what this means for the rest of the Patriots’ season.
Fans Devastated by Campbell Injury News
Patriots Nation is passing the time now in panic mode, right after Campbell hit the cart. Social media exploded with doomsday takes about Maye’s future and the team’s Super Bowl chances.
One fan wrote, “Losing the 4th overall pick to injury is a brutal, unbudgeted operational failure… Drake Maye’s protection plan is now bankrupt. The cost of this error will be immediate.”
Another added, “Sad turn of events for him.”
A third claimed, “Tough break for the Patriots. Losing their starting left tackle is a massive blow to the offense.”
A fourth one claimed, “It was his knee. He’s done.”
The fifth one shared, “Our season is over.”
A random X user penned, “An absolute meat grinder of a game today…”
Their anxiety is justified. Campbell has been New England’s most consistent offensive lineman. Pro Football Focus ranked him among the NFL’s better rookie tackles.
Now they will face the Giants next Monday Night Football, then hit their bye week. The fanbase must want to see him back this time around to protect his best signal-caller. Otherwise, their championship window becomes fragile despite sitting at 10-2.