The New England Patriots secured their 10th win of the season with the Week 12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. But this victory came at a heavy cost. Their surprisingly stable offensive line took multiple blows in Week 12. Left guard Jared Wilson and offensive tackle Will Campbell both were carted off with serious injuries, and the mood shifted instantly for head coach Mike Vrabel.

During the postgame presser, when reporters pressed Vrabel for updates on the injuries, his response revealed how much the setbacks weighed on him.

“I don’t have an update on anybody right now, unfortunately,” said Mike Vrabel. “I appreciate you guys all talking about injuries this week. Thanks.” 

Mike Vrabel’s somber tone said more than the words. You could feel the frustration with the injuries piling up in the OL. On just the third play of the Week 12 game, during a short run made by running back TreVeyon Henderson, Wilson got injured. He appeared to plant awkwardly or get rolled up on. The left guard signaled immediately that something was wrong with his ankle. 

Trainers rushed Wilson into the medical tent after he started limping. But the evaluation was concerning enough that Wilson later needed a cart to reach the locker room. That image alone raised questions. Can the Patriots’ OL hold up around quarterback Drake Maye if he misses time?

Ben Brown replaced Wilson for the rest of the game, but the sudden change forced Mike Vrabel to rethink his plan. And then things got worse. In the third quarter of the game, Will Campbell suffered a right knee injury after another run by Henderson.

Campbell stayed on the ground for a long moment. He then managed to walk off slowly to the medical tent. But Campbell was soon spotted with a towel over his head as he was carted away. That’s rarely a good sign. 

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs spoke for everyone post-game as he said, “I hope he’s back. I hope it’s not as bad as we think.”

Campbell, undoubtedly, has been one of Vrabel’s most dependable players. Since entering the league, he has barely left the field. He logged 695 snaps this season with over 98% of the team’s offensive plays and became a steady presence protecting Drake Maye’s blindside. He looked like the future at left tackle for the Patriots. 

With Campbell out, veteran Vederian Lowe stepped in at left tackle against the Bengals. It’s a tough adjustment for the Patriots’ head coach to make in the offense. And that extra reshuffling in the offensive unit clearly left Drake Maye disappointed. 

Drake Maye reacts to injuries in his O-line after the Week 12 game

The Patriots had started the same offensive line around Drake Maye in 10 of their 11 games this season. But before their Week 11 game against the New York Jets, the Patriots lost two starters to injuries. Both wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and running back Rhamondre Stevenson were officially ruled out. And while the return of both of these players in Week 12 should have boosted Maye’s confidence, watching two key linemen get carted off clearly shook him.

“Shoot, I love those guys, man,” said Drake Maye in the post-game presser. “They’re gonna be alright, I think. That’s the big thing about those guys. They’re gonna work hard, and they’re going to be back, and they have done such a good job for us this year. Man, I love those guys. Will and Jared have meant a lot to me. Got to know them in different ways.” 

Wilson’s exact return timeline remains unclear. He wore a boot after the game, which could signal something serious or simply be a precaution. Meanwhile, Campbell’s injury hits even harder considering what he promised during the offseason. He vowed to “fight and die to protect Drake,” and he backed every word with consistent play this season. 

“It hurts,” Drake Maye ultimately said about Campbell and Wilson. “It’s disappointing. But that’s this game. That’s life. They’ll bounce back.”

Moreover, Drake Maye now faces a new challenge. He needs to navigate the final stretch of the season without the two linemen who protected him the most. But can the Patriots keep their winning momentum without the stability in the OL that defined their season so far? It remains to be seen how the team will adapt to the setbacks when they face the New York Giants next week.