When your team goes two full calendar months without losing a football game, it’s cause for celebration, no matter the situation.
The New England Patriots’ ninth straight win on Sunday came at a cost, however.
The Patriots’ injury luck took an unfortunate turn during their ugly, 26-20 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. Already down star defensive tackle Milton Williams, New England saw four more prominent starters — left tackle Will Campbell, left guard Jared Wilson, nose tackle (slash fullback) Khyiris Tonga, and special teams captain Brenden Schooler — leave Sunday’s game against the Bengals with injuries.
Patriots fans learned on Wednesday that Campbell is headed for injured reserve with a sprained MCL, meaning he’ll be out until at least the team’s Week 18 home game against the Miami Dolphins.
The silver lining? None of New England’s recent injuries are expected to be season-ending, and Patriots reporter Andew Callahan observed some great news inside the team facility during Wednesday’s media availability.
Injured Patriots starters Jared Wilson, Milton Williams appear to be trending in the right direction
Even with an extra day of preparation this week, with New England playing on Monday night against the New York Giants, Patriots fans should expect their team to be down mulitple starters for Week 13.
Williams was placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain on Nov. 15, meaning the earliest he can return is Week 17 at the New York Jets. Wilson has a chance to return sooner, as long as he can avoid IR, and Callahan’s observation from the locker room hinted at that being the case.
Based on how Wilson was moving around on Wednesday, the emerging rookie appears to be trending in the right direction after suffering his own sprained ankle in the Bengals win.
“Good news: Jared Wilson and Milton Williams both walking without the aid of a boot in the (Patriots) locker room. Williams wore one last week and has a sleeve on his lower left leg today. Wilson had a boot after Sunday’s game and is in sneakers. Both have high ankle sprains.”
Good news: Jared Wilson and Milton Williams both walking without the aid of a boot in the #Patriots locker room.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) November 26, 2025
Williams wore one last week and has a sleeve on his lower left leg today. Wilson had a boot after Sunday’s game and is in sneakers. Both have high ankle sprains.
It feels like a long-shot that Wilson will be ready by Monday night, but ditching the walking boot is obviously a positive sign. The Patriots will be turning to to a pair of veterans in Vederian Lowe at left tackle, and Ben Brown at left guard, and they figure to be tested early against the Giants' star-studded group of pass rushers.
Given the Patriots' depth issues across the board, getting guys back healthy over the next few weeks could be the key to turning their 10-2 start into a sustained playoff run.