The New England Patriots have been relatively lucky in that they have avoided major injuries to some of their most important players, but that string of good fortune ran out when rookie left tackle Will Campbell suffered a serious knock in a Week 12 win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
After being carted off the field against Cincinnati, it seemed like Drake Maye was going to lose his blind-side protector for the foreseeable future. Luckily for the Patriots, it appears as though Campbell is going to possibly return to his old spot in the lineup before the postseason.
Campbell has been placed on injured reserve, which means he will not be out for the next four games. The soonest Campbell can return is the Week 18 season finale. However, Ian Rapoport said that he will be able to return "shortly" after the four weeks elapse, which could bring him back into the postseason picture.
Getting the No. 1 seed not only gives the Patriots home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but it also ensures that they will get an extra week of rest they can ensure their prized pass protecting wall is able to suit up when the Patriots need it.
Patriots need to get No. 1 seed after Will Campbell injury news
Outside of one "Welcome to the NFL" moment against Myles Garrett, Campbell has performed about as well as can be expected of a rookie left tackle operating alongside what many consider to be a suspect offensive line.
Campbell is not the only offensive line injury the Patriots are dealing with, as fellow rookie interior lineman Jared Wilson also left the Cincinnati game with an injury. Vederian Lowe seems like the most likely candidate to slide into the left tackle role while Campbell works his way back to full health.
Campbell will miss a Monday Night Football game against a 2-10 New York Giants team that has admittedly shown some life after firing Brian Daboll. A home duel with the Buffalo Bills and two more road matchups against the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets are on the non-Campbell ledger before he can return in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
Campbell's injury could have been catastrophic for New England, but with some optimism that he could come back into the fray before the Patriots start the playoffs could give fans some assurance that they have avoided the worst-case scenario with their former No. 4 overall pick.