The New England Patriots received some positive injury news.
Starting left tackle Will Campbell avoided a serious right knee injury Sunday. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, Campbell is now considered weekly.
Campbell left the game against the Raiders in the second quarter after running back Rhamondre Stevenson was tackled in the right leg. The tackle left for the locker room but returned to the sideline to pass and ride a stationary bike. After joining the team in the locker room at halftime, Campbell did not return to the bench and was sent off.
“We’ll see how the week goes. He’ll be examined and continue his rehabilitation,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday. “He couldn’t finish the game, so I don’t know how much time he’s going to miss. I don’t know if he’ll be back towards the end of the week or if he’ll be back on Wednesday. We’ll take it day by day, see how he feels tomorrow, see what he does on Wednesday and keep you posted on the injury report.”
In Campbell’s place, rookie first-round pick Caleb Lomu played a record 49 offensive snaps. At his natural left tackle position, Lomu held up well allowing only one rush.
“I don’t think it was too big for him. I think he was able to settle in. You didn’t really notice it, so I think that’s probably a good thing,” Vrabel said of Lomu’s performance. “He was able to anchor himself on some power at times and allowed Drake (Maye) to be able to pass in the pocket. I thought it worked well with AVT (Alijah Vera-Tucker) when he got in there.”
Lomu should be expected to start at left tackle, while the Patriots also have fellow forward Dametrious Crownover on the active roster. Offensive tackle Marcus Bryant is also eligible to return from injured reserve.
The Patriots will host the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium this Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
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