Reinforcements have arrived for the Patriots as they gear up for the playoffs. Campbell and Williams are back off injured reserve, and Week 18 could serve as a tune-up before January football.
Reinforcements are coming for the New England Patriots.
On Saturday, the Patriots announced the activation of OT Will Campbell and DT Milton Williams from injured reserve.
It’s a big lift for both the offensive and defensive lines as New England nears the postseason.
Campbell was last seen in action in Week 12 at Cincinnati. He injured his knee in that game and was placed on injured reserve shortly after. There were concerns of season-ending consequences in the moments after, but Campbell has returned to form quickly.
His practice window opened this week, and he was a full participant from Wednesday through Friday.
The fourth-overall selection of the 2025 draft had been an anchor along the left side of the offensive line through New England’s first 12 games of the season, allowing pressure on just 5.4% of dropbacks (second among all rookie tackles).
He’s looked like the blue-chip player the Patriots were hoping to get in April’s draft, and he’ll be an essential piece of New England’s postseason run.
Williams was last in action on November 13, when he suffered a high ankle sprain early in the Patriots’ 27-14 win against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
He’s missed the last five games, and he’s been sorely missed along the interior of New England’s front seven.
At the time of his departure, Williams ranked within the top five in the NFL in pressure rate for defensive tackles, generating pressure on 12.7% of offensive dropbacks. Paired with Christian Barmore, the Patriots had the only duo in the league featuring two interior rushers with a top-10 pressure rate.
Each seemed equally effective in the running game, as the Patriots began the season with a streak of eight consecutive games without allowing a 50+ yard rusher. Since Williams’ injury, New England has slid to 8th in the NFL, averaging 104.1 yards-against-per-game. They’re tied for fourth in the league in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (11) on the year.
Williams was designated to return from injured reserve last week, but did not play against the Jets in Week 17’s 42-10 victory in East Rutherford.
He was a limited participant at Patriots practice on Wednesday and Thursday before logging a full workload on Friday.
Both should be key fixtures for New England in January as the Patriots look to advance in the postseason.
How much they actually play on Sunday may still be in question, however.
Miami has already ruled out TE Darren Waller (IR) and S Minkah Fitzpatrick for Week 18, with star RB De’Von Achane listed as doubtful and WR Jaylen Waddle (along with a host of others) listed as questionable.
There’s a realistic scenario where the Patriots build a comfortable lead against the Dolphins’ B-team. If that happens, Campbell and Williams would likely be encouraged to get comfortable on the sideline and rest up for the playoffs.
If all goes according to plan, Week 18 will serve as a ramp-up period for both players to get back up to game speed prior to the postseason.
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