Injuries Pile Up for Patriots: Will Campbell’s Status in Doubt for Monday Night Clash
The New England Patriots faced a tough battle on Sunday, both on the scoreboard and on the injury front. After falling behind 10-0, the team showed resilience, clawing their way back into the game. But here’s where it gets controversial… While Coach Mike Vrabel praised his team’s fight, he couldn’t ignore the mounting injuries that left the roster thin. And this is the part most people miss… The most concerning injury was to starting left tackle Will Campbell, the 2025 first-round pick, who was carted off the field with a towel over his head. Left guard Jared Wilson also went down, adding to the team’s woes.
When asked about updates, Vrabel admitted, ‘We won’t know much, but yesterday was not a great day for us with injuries.’ He confirmed it’s unlikely Campbell will play in the upcoming Monday night game against the Giants, stating, ‘That injury’s going to probably be more than a week or two.’ This leaves the Patriots scrambling to fill the gaps, with Vrabel noting, ‘We had probably 18 guys on the field goal protection unit yesterday—that’s a first for me.’
Drake Maye’s Rising Star and Unlikely Nickname
Amid the injury concerns, rookie quarterback Drake Maye continues to shine. However, his performance hasn’t stopped fans from getting creative with his name. Social media has dubbed him ‘Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye,’ a nickname that even caught Vrabel off guard. ‘I just heard about it ten seconds ago,’ he joked. ‘I couldn’t even figure out 6-7, and now it’s Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye-Maye—I don’t know.’ When asked about the ‘Draco’ nickname, Vrabel quipped, ‘I don’t like that either. Keep going,’ revealing he’s never read the Harry Potter books or seen the films. ‘I thought about waiting in a line one time at Universal for two hours, and then I went to a bar,’ he added with a laugh.
Vrabel Responds to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith
The interview took a turn when Greg Hill brought up ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who recently called Maye a ‘liar’ before walking back the comment. Vrabel seemed unfazed, joking, ‘I don’t even know if the TVs work in the weight room.’ When informed that Smith claims ‘First Take’ is the No. 1-rated show, Vrabel replied dubiously, ‘Is it? It’s not the SportsCenter that I grew up with.’
Red Zone Struggles and a Mustache for a Cause
Vrabel didn’t shy away from addressing the team’s red zone struggles, emphasizing, ‘We have to be better. You’re not going to win too many games if you can’t score inside the five-yard line.’ On a lighter note, former teammate Matt Light called in to praise Vrabel’s mustache, which the coach is growing for ‘Movember’ to support men’s health and prostate cancer awareness. ‘We’re actually auctioning off some shoes after Monday night’s game,’ Vrabel shared. ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever done ‘My Cause, My Cleats,’ and I’m excited to do that.’
Thought-Provoking Question for You
With the Patriots facing a depleted roster and red zone challenges, do you think they can pull off a win against the Giants on Monday night? Or is the team’s depth too thin to overcome these hurdles? Let us know in the comments!