On September 4, New England Patriots rookie tackle Will Campbell appeared on the injury report with a new ankle issue. By September 5, the update showed he was questionable for suiting up against the Las Vegas Raiders.
If Campbell isn’t suiting up, it would be bad news for quarterback Drake Maye, with Maxx Crosby lined up across from him. Fortunately for the Patriots, Campbell is expected to play, meaning he’ll be on the offensive line facing Crosby.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on September 6, citing a league source, that despite dealing with an ankle issue, Campbell is on track to play against the Silver and Black.
How Patriots Intend to Stop Raiders’ Maxx Crosby
On September 2, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told WEEI that stopping Crosby will take a full-team effort, emphasizing that the Raiders star can line up anywhere on the field.
“It’s going to be with all of them,” Vrabel said. “And then Maxx can line up wherever he wants, or they can put him wherever they want. So I think it has to be for everybody blocking them. He has a certain play style. I think if you drop your head, he’s going to jump around. And if you’re over-aggressive, he’s going to try to make you miss.
“I think just a certain play style of just making sure we’re not overextended to where—again, he has a very unique play style where he’ll jab and jump around, and he uses his length and athleticism as opposed to, let’s say, maybe more of a power player. Not that he can’t do that, but again, he makes his money with instinctiveness and jumping under. If you overreach him, he’s coming under and he’s getting in the backfield.”
Drake Maye Must Help Will Campbell
Nonetheless, the job of containing Crosby doesn’t all fall on the offensive line. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye also noted that he needs to play a significant role in ensuring that the Raiders’ standout isn’t creating havoc for their offense.
“No doubt, I think it starts with me getting the ball out on time,” Maye said after practice on September 3 (h/t Boston Herald). “Not holding it. Knowing don’t bypass the first guy I see open trying to hunt a deeper one.
“The running backs can help in the protection. I think little things like that, and I think scheme. I think me just getting us in the right plays and knowing when he’s 1-on-1 and knowing when we have help to him. And from there, just follow our keys.”
With Campbell injured, Maye must get the ball off. Holding onto it for a second too long and Crosby will be there to make the quarterback pay. Moreover, Campbell will likely get help fending off Crosby so as not to put all the pressure on the rookie.
Nonetheless, both these teams will be looking to start the 2025 season on a positive note. For Las Vegas, a win over a team that didn’t make the playoffs last season is crucial, as their next two opponents are the Los Angeles Chargers, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, and the Washington Commanders.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Patriots Get Good News Before Facing Raiders, per Insider appeared first on Heavy Sports.