FOXBORO, Mass. — Victory came at a steep price for the New England Patriots on Sunday, as their hard-fought 26-20 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals was overshadowed by devastating injuries to two cornerstone rookies on the offensive line. Left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson both exited the game early, leaving the team reeling and raising serious concerns about their playoff push.
The injuries struck like a thunderbolt in what should have been a celebratory moment. Campbell, the team’s first-round draft pick and a steadfast protector of quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside, suffered a knee injury that forced him off the field. He was carted to the locker room with a towel draped over his hooded face, a poignant image of despair. Wilson, who has started 11 of 12 games this season and was coming off his best performance in Week 11, twisted his ankle and was later seen in the locker room sporting a walking boot on his right foot and relying on a crutch to move around.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, offered little in the way of updates post-game, laced with sarcasm toward the media’s ongoing focus on the team’s injury woes. “I appreciate you guys all talking about the injuries this week, so, thanks,” Vrabel quipped, alluding to the barrage of stories about New England’s luck through the first 11 weeks. He later added more soberly, “Injuries are part of the game.”
The loss of these two young stars couldn’t come at a worse time. The Patriots’ offensive line has been a revelation this season, ranking 12th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric—a far cry from last year’s dismal 31st-place finish plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Offseason additions like right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury had fortified the unit, but now the team may have to lean on veterans Vederian Lowe and Ben Brown, who stepped in during the game.
Lowe, who finished at left tackle for Campbell, has started 13 games for the Patriots in 2024 and expressed confidence in his readiness. “Ever since I came back from injury, I’ve been working with the guys and learning the ins and outs of the playbook,” Lowe said. “I’m a professional. When my number is called, I want to make sure I go out there and perform.” He called Campbell a “hell of a player” and admitted the injury “definitely sucks.”
Brown, replacing Wilson at left guard, echoed the sentiment, feeling “horrible” for his teammate. “Jared has done some awesome things this year,” Brown noted, crediting Vrabel’s mantra to “prepare as a starter every week” for helping him step up seamlessly. Brown, who started 10 games at center last year, acknowledged room for improvement but praised the group’s resilience.
The emotional toll was evident in the locker room. Quarterback Drake Maye, who has relied heavily on Campbell and Wilson for protection, spoke with heartfelt concern. “Shoot, I love those guys,” Maye said. “They’re going to be all right. That’s the big thing about those guys. They work hard, and they’re going to be back, and they’ve done such a good job for us this year, man. I love those guys. Will and Jared have meant a lot to me… It hurts. It’s disappointing, man. That’s this game. That’s life, and they’ll bounce back and help us down the road.”
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a key offensive weapon, shared similar worries. “I hope he’s back,” Diggs said of Campbell. “I hope it’s not as bad as we think.” He extended the same hopes to Wilson, underscoring the tight-knit nature of the team.
Center Garrett Bradbury emphasized the unit’s camaraderie and preparation. “We’re a close group. We pride ourselves on the way we work and also what we know,” Bradbury said. “I think the coaches do a good job of preparing everyone. But yeah, it’s whatever it takes. It’s next man up, and we want those guys to get back and be healthy, and that’s the ultimate goal. But I’m proud of the way the guys stepped up.” He expressed optimism that the rookies would draw strength from the veterans and that the training staff would expedite their return.
The injuries weren’t limited to the offensive line. Special-teams captain Brenden Schooler left with an ankle issue and was seen in a walking boot on his left foot, while defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga exited due to a chest injury and remained questionable on the bench. Even Moses briefly left with an illness before returning, leading to a rare scenario where all eight active offensive linemen saw action—a testament to the group’s depth but also a stark reminder of fragility.
Campbell has been a standout in his debut season, allowing just five sacks overall and none since Week 9’s win over the Falcons. Wilson’s steady improvement had solidified the left side of the line, making their absences a potential catastrophe for a team eyeing the playoffs over the final five weeks.
As the Patriots head back to Foxboro, the focus shifts from the win to recovery. With Lowe and Brown—holdovers from last year’s beleaguered line—potentially stepping into starting roles, the team must adapt quickly. But as Maye poignantly put it, “It hurts.” The road ahead just got a lot tougher.