The New England Patriots have two key injuries to watch the rest of the regular season with left tackle Will Campbell and defensive lineman Milton Williams.
Both players are on injured reserve as we head into New England's bye in Week 14. Campbell is sidelined due to an MCL sprain and Williams is dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
While their respective injured reserve stints are scheduled to end before the playoffs begin, it remains uncertain if both will be back before the Pats have to navigate their first postseason game, which could come in either the wild card or divisional round depending on if the Patriots can secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
In the past, we've seen players with Campbell's and Williams' injuries return after the minimum-required IR stint, but we've also seen them be out for longer.
In what is no doubt good news, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Williams and Campbell are both expected back before the playoffs begin.
"Williams has validated his massive free agent contract with impressive play, and Campbell has protected Drake Maye's blind side with ferocity," Fowler explained. "Both should be back before the playoffs, but how New England holds up in the meantime bears watching."
Campbell, Williams return timelines
When factoring in the bye week, which doesn't count toward the four-week stay on injured reserve, Campbell will be eligible to return in Week 18.
It would obviously be ideal for him to return then, as he could shake off some of the rust after a lengthy absence before the playoffs begin.
Of course, there is also a scenario where the Pats rest their starters in Week 18 if they have things wrapped up with the No. 1 seed and division, so that's something New England will have to weigh with Campbell if he is indeed ready to go.
Williams was placed on injured reserve one week before Campbell, which makes him eligible to return in Week 17.
Again, it would be ideal for each player to get into one game before the playoffs begin, but the most important thing is getting Campbell and Williams back for postseason play.
As of right now, it looks like that will happen.
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