The New England Patriots somehow managed to extend their unexpected winning streak to nine games on Sunday, grinding out an awkward 26-20 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. But the Patriots came away in a somber mood despite the fact that the team that had been widely predicted to win eight or nine games all season had already notched its 10th â with five games left.
The reason for the subdued response was primarily the outbreak of injuries the Patriots endured on their way to defeating Cincinnati. The most notable of the bunch was a disturbing knee injury to offensive left tackle Will Campbell, the Patriotsâ first-round draft pick this year, No. 4 overall, 6-foot-6, 319-pound Will Campbell.
On Wednesday morning, new information emerged on Campbell’s outlook, and a noted sports injury medical specialist also gave an opinion on the timeline for Campbell’s return to action for New England.
Campbell’s Right Knee Rolled by Bengals DE
With about five minutes remaining in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at PayCor Stadium, Campbell was attempting to block on a short run by Patriots ball carrier TreVeyon Henderson when Bengals defensive end Cedric Johnson went for the tackle on Henderson and made impact with Campbell’s right knee, causing it to bend at an unnatural angle.
Campbell was reported to have an MRI exam on the knee Monday, but if the exam ever took place, the Patriots had not released the results as of Wednesday morning as the Patriots prepared for their week of practice heading into a Monday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants.
However, on Wednesday, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the latest update she had received on Campbell’s status.
“New England Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell is expected to miss at least four weeks with a knee injury and will most likely land on injured reserve,” Russini reported.
Campbell Remains on Active Roster, For Now
However, as of late Wednesday morning, the official Patriots transaction report contained no recent mention of Campbell, indicating that five days in advance of the Giants game, when the Patriots hope to record the first 10-game winning streak in franchise history behind any quarterback not named Tom Brady, Campbell was still officially active.
Campbell’s absence from the transaction report indicates that at least as of mid-day on Wednesday, he remained on the active roster. If the 21-year-old rookie is placed on injured reserve, he will be required to miss a minimum of four games, meaning he will not be eligible to play again until Week 18 when the Patriots meet the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.
Following Russini’s report, Dr. Jesse Morse â a Florida-based sports injury specialist who analyzes NFL injuries for the media and online â gave his opinion on what the Athletic reporter’s news means for Campbell.
Medical Expert Gives Blunt Opinion
“This is consistent with a grade 2 MCL sprain, sometimes the meniscus is involved as well. The more meniscal involvement, the longer the recovery,” Morse wrote on social media. “Best case scenario he returns in 4 weeks, but sometimes these take 6-7 weeks (with meniscus involvement).”
Morse added that Campbell’s knee injury “could have been worse, but still a big loss.”
A seven-week absence would mean that Campbell would not play again unless the Patriots reach the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
The Patriots have not yet released information as to the exact nature of Campbell’s injury or whether his meniscus â a thick pad of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the shin and thigh bones â was damaged.
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