When is Will Campbell coming back? Injury update, return timeline for Patriots LT

Mike Moraitis

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When is Will Campbell coming back? Injury update, return timeline for Patriots LT image

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots' offensive line took a big hit recently when left tackle Will Campbell suffered an injury.

The rookie offensive lineman suffered a knee injury in Week 12 and fans and analysts initially feared the worst after Campbell was carted to the locker room and clearly distraught.

However, it was later revealed that Campbell had avoided a season-ending injury and is dealing with a knee sprain. He was then placed on injured reserve because of the injury, which means he has to miss a minimum of four games.

It goes without saying how important the rookie left tackle is to the Patriots' hopes of making noise in the playoffs this season.

With that said, here's when Campbell might be back.

When is Will Campbell coming back?

Thanks to his placement on injured reserve prior to the Week 13 game against the New York Giants, Campbell will first be eligible to return in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins.

Of course, that's assuming everything goes perfectly in his recovery and he doesn't need extra time, as some sprains can take up to six weeks to heal. If he does need more time to recover, Campbell will be at risk of missing a playoff game or more.

But if the Patriots can secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC, something they have a good shot to do, that will give New England a bye in the playoffs and Campbell one more week to get right if he needs it.

Entering Monday night against the Giants, the Patriots are sitting in the No. 2 spot in the conference, but they can retake No. 1 with a victory over New York.

So, the bye and home-field advantage might not be the only things the Patriots are playing for in the closing weeks of the season.

They might also be playing for the opportunity to avoid not having their left tackle for a postseason game.

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