Patriots’ Will Campbell Injury Timeline Clarified in New Report
The New England Patriots will be without their starting left tackle for the foreseeable future after Will Campbell suffered an ankle injury in the team’s Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Shortly after the game, the Patriots placed Campbell on injured reserve, but one NFL Insider is providing some additional information on his specific injury timeline.
“Well, he’s not out for the year, but this is a very significant injury,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on NBC Sports Boston’s pregame coverage. “He has a Grade 3 MCL sprain. That essentially means his MCL is torn. It’s a four-to-six week injury.”
He went on to say that the reason the Patriots ensured he would be sidelined for a minimum of four games was that they didn’t want him to try and come back before he was fully healed.
“One of the reasons they decided to put him on injured reserve was actually to protect him from himself,” Breer added. “They felt like, because of who he is, how tough he is, the sort of competitor he is, that he would push to get back earlier than that. This puts a governor on it. This forces him to go through a full recovery.”
When Are the Patriots Expecting Will Campbell Back
Campbell’s placement on injured reserve before the team’s primetime matchup against the Giants meant that he will have to miss a minimum of four games. Along with New York, he is set to be sidelined against the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets.
So, when are the Patriots expecting the star rookie to return?
“They’re going to try to get him back for the last game of the regular season,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston. “Even that may be pushing it a little bit. This is not a minor injury, though. This is an MCL tear, a Grade 3 MCL sprain, which again necessitates a four-to-six-week recovery.”
However, it’s important that the Patriots don’t try to push him into returning sooner than he is ready, especially if they plan to continue their success deep into the postseason.
“I just think it’s one of those where you have to be careful about guys pushing it,” Breer explained. “It’s the type of injury that you can aggravate, and you can make worse by playing on it. And there are a lot of examples of guys, especially in a position like Will Campbell’s, trying to play through these sorts of things. So I think in a certain way, the Patriots put him on IR, trying to look out for him and trying to make sure that he does go through as full a recovery as you can in season.”
Who Is Filling In at Left Tackle for Will Campbell?
Vederian Lowe replaced Campbell against the Bengals and got the start on Monday night against the Giants. He was given a tall task, having to protect quarterback Drake Maye’s blind side against a talented New York pass rush.
However, Maye made it clear that he had full faith in Lowe, along with guard Left Brown, who was filling in for Jared Wilson. And the two rose to the challenge.
“I told them I had full faith in them,” Maye said. “We had a lot of reps last year dropping back and trusting those guys. I think they’re great players, and they’ve stepped up, like I said, in pregame. I think they stepped up all year anybody that’s been thrown in the fire. Proud of them.”
SHOCKING MOVE! Broncos Part Ways with Rookie Standout Kyrese Rowan as Elijah Moore Joins the Roster
In a move that has left Denver Broncos fans reeling, the team has parted ways with rookie standout Kyrese Rowan, only to replace him with veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore on the practice squad. The announcement sent shockwaves through the fanbase, sparking debates and questions over what this decision means for Rowan’s future in the NFL and whether Moore is the key to Denver's late-season success.
A Bold Move for the Broncos
Kyrese Rowan had been a name whispered among Broncos supporters ever since his impressive preseason performances. Despite being an undrafted free agent, Rowan showcased his potential as a dynamic and versatile receiver. His ability to stretch the field and make plays in crucial moments left many believing he could be a diamond in the rough for Denver.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Broncos decided to release Rowan from the practice squad in favor of bringing in Elijah Moore, a seasoned veteran with a proven track record in the league. Moore, who has accumulated over 2,200 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his NFL career, will bring much-needed depth to the Broncos’ wide receiver corps.
The Debate: Was Rowan a Casualty of the NFL Business?
As the dust settles, Broncos fans are left questioning whether Rowan was simply another casualty of the NFL's harsh business side. Although he showed promise, his release highlights the cutthroat nature of the league, where roster spots are limited, and performance expectations are high.
Despite his impressive preseason outings, Rowan’s time on the field during the regular season was limited. This raises the question of whether the Broncos gave up on a promising young player too soon. On the other hand, Moore’s experience and past success in the NFL could be exactly what Denver needs to make a playoff push in the highly competitive AFC.
What Does This Mean for the Broncos’ Future?
The signing of Moore signals that the Broncos are looking for stability and proven performance as they head into the final stretch of the season. With the team’s offense still finding its rhythm, Moore’s ability to make plays could provide the spark needed to elevate the Broncos' passing game.
For Rowan, this move marks a setback, but it doesn't necessarily mean the end of his career. Many undrafted free agents have gone on to prove their worth in the NFL after being released from their initial teams. Rowan’s future remains uncertain, but he could still find an opportunity elsewhere, whether with another NFL team or back on a practice squad where he can continue developing his skills.
Final Thoughts
While fans are still processing the shocking move, one thing is clear: the Denver Broncos are making a calculated decision to give themselves the best chance to succeed this season. Whether this proves to be the right call remains to be seen, but with Moore now on board, the Broncos will look to finish strong and chase a spot in the postseason.
