NE Will Campbell
NFL player. Position: OT. Team: NE.
Quick Facts
- Position: OT (Left Tackle)
- Team: NE (New England Patriots)
- Draft: 2025 first round (Patriots)
- Age: 22 (entering 2026 season)
2026 Outlook
Campbell struggled during the Patriots' four-game playoff run as a rookie in 2025, finishing the postseason still recovering from an MCL sprain suffered late in the regular season. He rehabbed intensively in the offseason—five times weekly—with confidence in his recovery. Despite playoff struggles, he expresses confidence in his long-term trajectory and emphasizes that he's "a long way" from his ultimate ceiling at age 22. Campbell will remain the Patriots' starting left tackle in 2026 at just 22 years old, giving New England youth and upside at a critical position. While he struggled down the stretch in 2025 after returned from injury, his strong overall rookie season and age suggest continued development potential. Campbell's 2026 outlook hinges on translating offseason improvement work into consistent play protecting elite QB Drake Maye. (per NFL Notes: Christian Gonzalez's contract looms over upcoming Patriots minicamp and Patriots offensive line, reset with first-round pick Caleb Lomu in the mix).
2026 pressure point: Campbell is named one of the most-pressure second-year players in football after his rough 2025 postseason. The rookie allowed 29 pressures in the regular season, with 14 coming in the Super Bowl loss, as Drake Maye was hit more times than any other QB in history. Longtime questions about his arm length have resurfaced, though Patriots coach Mike Vrabel attributes postseason struggles primarily to Campbell's strength being sapped by injury rather than physical limitations. A strong 2026 training camp will be critical to proving skeptics wrong and establishing long-term job security at left tackle. (per Patriots Will Campbell 'Under Most Pressure' In NFL After 'Rough' Rookie Year)
Week 5 knee sprain — avoided major injury (Oct 13): Campbell suffered a knee sprain in the second quarter of Week 5 against Las Vegas, the same knee where he previously tore his MCL late in 2025. Tests showed he avoided a major knee injury and is considered week-to-week going forward. This is the second notable lower-body injury in his young career on the same knee, raising durability concerns despite the favorable initial diagnosis. His ability to recover without surgery and return to form remains critical given his already-elevated pressure rating and postseason struggles. (per Will Campbell is week-to-week after tests show he avoided a major knee injury - NBC Sports).
Role / Depth Chart
Left tackle for Patriots. Started most games as a rookie in 2025 despite MCL injury late in the season.
MCL sprain (2025 season-ending, rehabbed extensively in offseason). Healthy for 2026 OTAs. Early August 2026: wore protective left arm brace at training camp after a minor left arm injury cost him Thursday and Friday practices. Returned to full participation in Monday (Aug 10) practice without limitation despite sporting the brace. Expected to play in Tuesday's scrimmage vs. Colts (per Patriots Receive Positive Will Campbell Injury Update).
Week 5 knee sprain — week-to-week (Oct 14): Campbell suffered a knee sprain on the same knee that previously had an MCL tear in late 2025. Initial tests show he avoided a major knee injury. On Wednesday practice, Campbell practiced in limited fashion (off the main field) but wore his full uniform and taped cleats, expressing confidence about recovery. He described the new injury as "different" and "less severe than last year's MCL tear," stating "I feel good. Just building up throughout the week." He said it's "part of the game" and emphasized perspective from his prior year's worse injury. His Week 6 status against the Jets was uncertain but trending toward availability pending continued practice participation (per Patriots' Will Campbell feeling 'good' after suffering knee injury in Week 5).
Recent News
- 2026-10-14 — Patriots’ Will Campbell feeling ‘good’ after suffering knee injury in Week 5 (Patriots’ Will Campbell feeling ‘good’ after suffering knee injury in Week 5)
- 2026-10-13 — NFL insiders provide injury updates for Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson, Will Campbell (NFL insiders provide injury updates for Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson, Will Campbell)
- 2026-10-13 — Patriots’ Will Campbell injury update is best-case scenario (Patriots’ Will Campbell injury update is best-case scenario)
- 2026-10-13 — Will Campbell is week-to-week after tests show he avoided a major knee injury (Will Campbell is week-to-week after tests show he avoided a major knee injury)
- 2026-10-12 — Mike Vrabel gives injury updates on Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson (Mike Vrabel gives injury updates on Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson)
- 2026-10-12 — Encouraging Patriots’ Will Campbell injury update after leaving Raiders game comes... (Encouraging Patriots’ Will Campbell injury update after leaving Raiders game comes...)
- 2026-08-17 — Will Campbell, Patriots sophomores eye year-two leap in second NFL training camp (Will Campbell, Patriots sophomores eye year-two leap in second NFL training camp)
- 2026-08-10 — Patriots Receive Positive Will Campbell Injury Update (Patriots Receive Positive Will Campbell Injury Update)
- 2026-08-07 — Patriots injury updates: Mike Vrabel shares latest on Will Campbell, three others (Patriots injury updates: Mike Vrabel shares latest on Will Campbell, three others)
- 2026-06-03 — Will Campbell details intense and grueling offseason knee rehab (Will Campbell details intense and grueling offseason knee rehab)