The New England Patriots finally reached their much-needed bye in Week 14, but the break is almost over. Entering Week 15, Patriots fans are excited to see if the 11-win team can pick up from where it left office, and getting Will Campbell back in the lineup would help. This year's fourth-overall pick suffered a grade-three MCL sprain in the Patriots' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12, leaving his immediate future up in the air.
Heading into the Giants game, Campbell was placed on injured reserve, taking him out for at least the next four games. With that window, Campbell's could return in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
Even though the first-year blocker still has to miss at least three more games, it looks like New England's bye week was exactly what he needed on his path to that goal.
Patriots' Bye Week Was Exactly What Will Campbell Needed
On Monday, Campbell was seen in the locker room without anything on his knee, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. Kyed would add that Campbell "eventually put a sleeve" over the knee. The fact that the talented rookie doesn't need a brace on his knee is a positive sign that his rehab is going well and that the Patriots expect to see him suit up again this season.
For Campbell, having a bye in Week 14 couldn't have been better for him. Given the Patriots' current playoff standing, the team will need him healthy if they want any chance of succeeding in the postseason. Having an extra week of rest and recovery during the four-game window that he can't play in gives him more time to be fully healthy come playoff time.
If the Patriots can manage these next three weeks without Campbell and make the season finale against the Dolphins meaningless, Campbell would have six weeks to recover from his injury. New England can even give Campbell an extra week of recovery time should they finish first in the AFC, earning a bye in the Wildcard round.
Some people might view a late bye as a negative, but given Campbell's injury, this couldn't have worked out any better for the Patriots. He's been one of quarterback Drake Maye's most reliable protectors this season, limiting opponents to just 25 pressures (16 hurries, five sacks, four QB hits), according to Pro Football Focus.
It'll be up to him to hit the ground running whenever he returns, and, from what Campbell has shown so far, New England fans should feel extremely confident in that happening.