On Wednesday ahead of his team’s practice, head coach Mike Vrabel told the media that the Patriots (10-2) plan to place left tackle Will Campbell on IR at 4:00 p.m. ET, making the rookie ineligible to play in at least four games as he recovers from a reported MCL sprain he suffered in the third quarter against the Bengals (3-8) on Sunday.
While New England coming away with a 26-20 win for their ninth straight victory was a huge positive for a team now sitting atop the AFC standings, the health of Campbell moving forward was the prevailing storyline on fans’ minds after Week 12.
With the LSU-product being nothing but steady after some minor growing pains to open the season, his loss on Drake Maye’s blindside for at least four games is a huge blow for an offense that has done a 180 from where they were last season.
Part of that dreadful showing on the offensive side of the football in 2024 was left tackle Vederian Lowe, who ranked 69th among qualified players at his position by PFF last season.
Despite that poor protection over the course of the season, Vrabel said Wednesday that Lowe will, in all likelihood, be the man who fills in for Campbell during his absence, adding that rookie right tackle Marcus Bryant needs to be prepared for the possibility of playing there as well.
With the Patriots moving Campbell to IR, they also made a pair of corresponding roster moves, signing corner Miles Battle to the 53-man roster from the practice squad as well as rookie corner Brandon Crossley to the practice squad.
Here’s what the Patriots had to say about both players in an official press release:
“Battle, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs on May 5, 2024, out of Utah. The 6-foot-3, 197-pounder, was released by Kansas City after training camp and was signed by New England to the practice squad on Oct. 15, 2024. He was signed by New England to the 53-man roster from the practice squad on Jan. 4, 2025, and played in his first NFL game in the season-finale vs. Buffalo (1/5), finishing with 2 tackles and 3 passes defensed. Battle was released by New England at the end of training camp this past summer and was then signed to the practice squad. Battle was elevated to the active roster for the game at Tennessee on Oct. 19 and saw action on special teams.
“Crossley, 24, was originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent on May 9, 2025, out of Southern Methodist. The 5-foot-11, 186-pounder, was released on Aug. 26, signed to the practice squad on Aug. 27 and released from the practice squad on Aug. 28. Crossley began his college career at Colorado State for one season (2019) before transferring to SMU (2020-24). He registered 146 total tackles, 6 interceptions and 30 passes defensed during his college career.”
As of publishing, the loss of Campbell has had no impact on the betting markets, as New England remains a 7-point favorite at most books.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.