Patriots’ Will Campbell lands on injury report ahead of opener

Patriots

The Patriots’ depth chart behind Will Campbell is lacking at left tackle.

The writing is on the wall that the Patriots won’t have their top corner Christian Gonzalez on the field when New England opens the 2025 season Sunday afternoon against the Raiders. 

But, could the Patriots also take to the field at Gillette Stadium without their starting left tackle?

New England released its latest injury report on Thursday evening, with rookie Will Campbell tabbed as a limited participant due to an ankle injury. 

Gonzalez — who has not practiced since suffering a hamstring injury on July 28 — was the lone Patriots player who did not take part in Thursday’s practice, while defensive tackle Christian Barmore joined Campbell as a limited participant. 

Barmore, who is returning to game action after missing most of the 2024 campaign due to blood clots, was limited with what New England deemed as “not injury related” — which could signal that Barmore is just getting limited reps during practice as the team eases him back into the fold.

But, Campbell’s addition to the injury report stands as sizable concern for a Patriots team already bracing for a tough matchup against Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ pass rush.

The Patriots selected Campbell with the fourth-overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft with the hope that the LSU product would solidify New England’s porous offensive line and protect Drake Maye’s blindside for the foreseeable future.

Despite some initial growing pains during joint practices, Campbell impressed during preseason action — especially when it came to clearing a path in the run game. 

Campbell’s potential absence would seriously hinder New England on Sunday — not just because of his own upside and ability to slow down Crosby, but also because of the lack of depth behind him at the tackle position. 

If Campbell isn’t cleared on Sunday, the next men up at left tackle would be either Vederian Lowe or 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant. 

Crosby has the potential to be a game-wrecker on Sunday, given that the edge rusher has already recorded 59.5 sacks over six seasons with the Raiders. 

“The thing you have to question is, ‘Where he is gonna be?’ It’s Week 1 so you really don’t know what the plan is,” Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone said of Crosby on Thursday. “You just have to make sure the details, and techniques and fundamentals, everybody has to know and be prepared to go up against him.”

Here is New England’s latest injury report: 

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

CB Christian Gonzalez, Hamstring

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

DT Christian Barmore, Not Injury Related

T Will Campbell, Ankle

FULL PARTICIPATION

WR Efton Chism III, Knee

CB Charles Woods, Concussion/Groin