CINCINNATI — Generally, a win can really feel like a loss.
That was the case Sunday, when the Patriots noticed left deal with Will Campbell (knee) and left guard Jared Wilson (ankle) depart the 26-20 win over the Bengals with accidents.
Campbell and Wilson had been each taken to the locker room on carts after getting checked out by Patriots trainers within the workforce’s blue medical tent.
Wilson, who’s began 11 of 12 video games this season, was sporting a strolling boot on his proper foot and strolling with a crutch within the locker room after the sport.
Campbell, who has began each recreation in his rookie season, was not noticed within the locker room, however he wore a towel, hooded and protecting his face as he was carted to the tunnel.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t have an replace on any of the gamers’ accidents after the sport.
“I recognize you guys all speaking in regards to the accidents week, so, thanks,” Vrabel stated sarcastically after the sport, referencing tales written in regards to the workforce’s damage luck by the primary 11 weeks of the season.
“Accidents are a part of the sport,” Vrabel stated later.
Ben Brown changed Wilson at left guard, and Vederian Lowe completed the sport at left deal with rather than Campbell. Rookie Marcus Bryant additionally entered Sunday’s recreation briefly for starter Morgan Moses, who left with an sickness earlier than returning.
Campbell has been dwelling as much as his first-round billing this season as Drake Maye’s blindside protector. He’s allowed 5 sacks on the season, however none because the Patriots’ Week 9 win over the Falcons.
Wilson has steadily improved because the season has gone alongside and was coming off one of the best recreation of his profession in Week 11.
“Shoot, I like these guys,” Maye stated of Campbell and Wilson. “They’re going to be all proper. That’s the massive factor about these guys. They work exhausting, they usually’re going to be again, they usually’ve executed such a great job for us this 12 months, man. I like these guys. Will and Jared have meant rather a lot to me. We’ve acquired to know them in numerous methods. And yeah, it hurts. It’s disappointing, man. That’s this recreation. That’s life, they usually’ll bounce again and assist us down the highway.”
Vast receiver Stefon Diggs is hoping for one of the best for the Patriots’ two rookie starters.
“I hope he’s again,” Diggs stated of Campbell. “I hope it’s not as dangerous as we expect.”
Diggs expressed the same sentiment when speaking about Wilson later, as effectively.
The Patriots’ reshaped offensive line has been a significant energy for the workforce this season in comparison with final 12 months.
Now, the Patriots may have to depend on Lowe and Brown, who had been a part of final 12 months’s beginning group, over the ultimate 5 weeks of the season and a possible playoff run.
Middle Garrett Bradbury stated he’s hopeful that the 2 rookies will lean on the veterans within the room and he is aware of “the coaching room goes to do an important job and get them again on the market as quickly as they will.”
Lowe began 13 video games for the Patriots in 2024, whereas Brown began 10 video games at heart.
The Patriots rank 12 in PFF’s pass-blocking effectivity metric this season, whereas they ranked thirty first in 2024 with fixed turnover as a consequence of accidents and poor efficiency. The Patriots additionally added Moses and heart Garrett Bradbury this offseason.
Lowe referred to as Campbell a “hell of a participant” and stated his damage “positively sucks.” He stated he felt snug each being thrust into motion Sunday and within the Patriots’ offense.
“Ever since I got here again from damage, I’ve been working with the fellows and studying the ins and outs of the playbook, nuances of what our coaches need and all the pieces,” Lowe stated. “I’m knowledgeable. When my quantity known as, I need to ensure I am going on the market and carry out, and that’s what I’m going to do it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are.”
Brown stated he felt “horrible” for Wilson, and stated, “Jared has executed some superior issues this 12 months.”
He stated Vrabel’s message to “put together as a starter each week” resonated when he entered the sport.
It’s uncommon for all eight lively offensive linemen to be referred to as into responsibility in a recreation. Lowe stated it confirmed the group’s resiliency.
“There’s some stuff we may have executed a little bit bit higher, particularly me, too,” Brown stated. “However simply being prepared for each time our time comes.”
Bradbury added: “We’re an in depth group. We pleasure ourselves on the best way we work and likewise what we all know. I believe the coaches do a great job of making ready everybody. However yeah, it’s no matter it takes. It’s subsequent man up, and we would like these guys to get again and be wholesome, and that’s the final word aim. However I’m happy with the best way the fellows stepped up.”
Particular-teams captain Brenden Schooler (ankle) additionally left the sport and didn’t return. He was noticed within the locker room with a strolling boot on his left foot. Defensive deal with Khyiris Tonga (chest) additionally left the sport. Tonga was listed as questionable and remained on the bench within the second half.
