Will Campbell injury update: Patriots rookie tackle ‘hungry’ to return

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Will Campbell injury update: Patriots rookie tackle ‘hungry’ to return

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Tue, Dec 23, 2025 ·

3 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – When Will Campbell ripped off his shirt and chugged a beer on the Jumbotron at the TD Garden, the Patriots ’ rookie tackle went viral.

Campbell was there that night to watch the Celtics-Heat game with several other teammates, including Garrett Bradbury . The veteran center could be seen smiling in the background during the ordeal.

“Everyone said I looked like a proud father back there,” Bradbury said. “He did a good job. I don’t want to give him too many flowers because there are enough videos, and it went viral enough for him. We’ve got to keep him a little levelheaded, but he did a good job. The moment was his, and he took advantage of it.”

Bradbury notes he’s not just proud of Campbell’s antics in the luxury box. The starting center has also been impressed with how the Patriots rookie has approached his time on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Cincinnati .

Campbell has missed the last three Patriots games and is eligible to come off the injured reserve next week in the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins .

“He’s hungry. He wants to get back out there,” Bradbury said. “That’s what you want to hear. That’s what you want to see. Being hurt in this league is no fun. You’ve got rehab all day long. You’re working out, especially being on IR, you know you’re out for four games. It’s not fun. You see the guys going out in practice. You see us have a big win in Baltimore . You want to be a part of it. I know he’s doing the right things.”

Drafted fourth overall, Campbell was an instant starter at left tackle for the Patriots. He helped stabilize a position that was a weakness over the last couple of seasons in New England .

At the time of the injury, Pro Football Focus ranked Campbell 18th out of 83 tackles with a 76.1 pass blocking grade. The rookie allowed five sacks and three quarterback hits in 12 starts this season. He’s been replaced by backup Vederian Lowe since the injury occurred.

Bradbury noted that Campbell has helped Lowe and can’t wait to rejoin his teammates.

“I’ve been proud of the way he’s kept his head down,” Bradbury said. “When he can be back, I know he will be. He’s itching. He’s ready. He’s also doing a good job talking to Vederian and staying locked in. He’s in meetings with us. He knows the game plan. It was good that he got to travel with us to Baltimore. He was on the sideline talking to us. He’s done a good job.”

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