The New England Patriots have been one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises in 2026, clawing their way back into the playoff conversation with back-to-back wins over the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. But just as the momentum was building, the injury bug struck again — and this time, it hit two of the team’s most promising young stars.
The Injury News
During Sunday’s 45-17 blowout win over the Raiders, the Patriots lost two key starters in the second quarter.
Left tackle Will Campbell — the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — suffered a knee injury when wide receiver Efton Chism III appeared to fall on his leg at the end of a running play. Campbell was having a strong second season after a rookie campaign disrupted by a Grade 3 torn MCL in the same knee.
The initial reports were terrifying. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Campbell was “believed to have suffered a knee sprain” and would “miss some time”. Given his injury history and the fact that he missed four games last season with a torn MCL, there was genuine concern that this could be another significant setback.
Then came the good news. According to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, Campbell “avoided a major knee injury Sunday, tests confirmed” and is considered week-to-week. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the Patriots see this injury as “not being as severe as the one he dealt with during his rookie season”. There is still no definitive timeline for his return, but the worst-case scenario appears to have been avoided.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson — a second-year player who was expected to be a breakout star in 2026 — suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. The injury doesn’t require surgery, and the Patriots are hopeful he’ll return sooner rather than later due to his reputation as a quick healer.
Henderson has struggled to recapture his rookie form this season. He’s averaged just 3.9 yards per carry with 163 yards on 42 attempts — a significant decline from the 5.1 yards per attempt he averaged last year. He also missed the season opener with an ankle injury, making this his second ankle issue of the year.
The Ripple Effects
The injuries to Campbell and Henderson come at a particularly bad time for a team already dealing with a rash of health issues.
The Patriots have been without A.J. Brown since the season opener, when the three-time All-Pro receiver suffered a high ankle sprain. Brown is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and the team opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday. His return would provide a massive boost to a receiving corps that recently lost Mack Hollins to injured reserve with a calf injury.
Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, though he confirmed Wednesday that he expects to play Sunday against the Jets. Fellow starting corner Carlton Davis has missed two of the Patriots’ five games with a neck injury.
The list goes on. Right guard Mike Onwenu broke his ankle in Week 3. Backup guard Greg Van Roten went on IR with a thigh injury in Week 4. Veteran edge rusher Harold Landry remains missing in action. Rookie edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins landed on IR after Week 3. Fullback Reggie Gilliam went on IR with an ankle injury.
According to Rotowire’s injury severity score, the Patriots rank third in the NFL in terms of injury impact through the first five weeks, with a severity score of 79. Only the San Francisco 49ers (99) and Houston Texans (84) have been hit harder.
Who Steps Up?
The Patriots have been preparing for this. When they traded up to select Caleb Lomu with the 28th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they were investing in depth at offensive tackle.
Lomu, a 21-year-old rookie out of Utah, was thrust into action against the Raiders after Campbell went down. According to Pro Football Focus, he logged 29 pass-blocking snaps and recorded 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 1 hurry, and 1 total pressure — a 98.0 pass-block efficiency rating.
“I don’t think it was too big for him,” head coach Mike Vrabel said of Lomu’s performance. “I think he was able to settle down. You didn’t really notice him a lot, so I think that’s probably a good thing”.
At running back, with Henderson out, the Patriots will lean more heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson, who has been the team’s lead back this season with 57 carries for 227 yards. Corey Kiner will also see increased snaps.
Can the Patriots Stay in the Playoff Race?
The short answer is: yes, but it won’t be easy.
The Patriots are 3-2 and currently hold the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture. They trail the Buffalo Bills (4-1) in the AFC East but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Buffalo in Week 4. They’re one game behind the division lead with plenty of season remaining.
ESPN ranks the Patriots No. 9 overall in their latest power rankings, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has called them “legitimate Super Bowl contenders”. The team’s 45-17 demolition of the Raiders was their most lopsided win of the season, and Drake Maye had one of the best games of his career — 374 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The upcoming schedule offers opportunities. The Patriots host the New York Jets (2-3) in Week 6, a game that is crucial for both teams. A win would keep New England firmly in the playoff picture and maintain pressure on the Bills.
But the margin for error is thin. The Patriots are already without their No. 1 receiver, their starting right guard, their top backup guard, and multiple defensive backs. Losing Campbell and Henderson for any extended period would test the team’s depth in ways it hasn’t been tested all season.
The good news is that Campbell’s injury appears less severe than initially feared. The bad news is that Henderson’s high ankle sprain will keep him out for multiple weeks, and the Patriots’ running game has been inconsistent even with him in the lineup.
The return of A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez would provide a significant boost. Brown is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, and his presence would transform the offense. Gonzalez is a shutdown corner who would stabilize a secondary that has been decimated by injuries.
The Patriots have been
one of the NFL’s best stories in 2026. They’ve overcome a 1-2 start, a brutal injury list, and a brutal schedule to climb back into the playoff race. They’ve done it with a young quarterback playing the best football of his career, a defense that has exceeded expectations, and a coaching staff that has kept the team focused through adversity.
The injuries to Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson are a significant blow. But they’re not fatal. Campbell avoided a major injury. Henderson’s absence is temporary. And the reinforcements — A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez — are on their way.
The Patriots have a chance to prove they’re for real. The next few weeks will tell us whether they’re a playoff team or just a feel-good story that ran out of luck.
If they can survive this stretch, they’ll be dangerous in January.
The playoff race is on. And the Patriots are still in it.
