Drake Maye’s Offense Dealt Major Injury Blow as Mike Vrabel’s Patriots’ Headache Doubled

The New England Patriots‘ offense, meticulously crafted around second-year QB Drake Maye, was dealt a major injury blow on Thursday with the news that starting left tackle Will Campbell was added to the report, limited with an ankle issue. The fourth-overall pick, the man tasked with being Maye’s blindside guardian, is already nicked up. His challenge this Sunday, containing the Raiders’ game-wrecking edge rusher Maxx Crosby, just got exponentially harder. Maye knows everything starts with him, stating,

“No doubt, I think it starts with me getting the ball out on time… Not holding it. Knowing don’t bypass the first guy I see open trying to hunt a deeper one.”

Starting LT Will Campbell was added to the Patriots’ injury report Thursday. He was limited due to his ankle.

Patriots also listed DT Christian Barmore as limited (not injury related), and noted that CB Charles Woods (groin) was upgraded from limited to full participant.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 4, 2025

As Vrabel’s headache doubled, the injury list grew more perplexing. Alongside Campbell, the Patriots also listed defensive tackle Christian Barmore as limited, though notably with a “not injury related” designation. For a player of Barmore’s importance, a $92-million cornerstone returning from a frightening 2024 season lost largely to blood clots, any line next to his name is enough to tighten the shoulders of every coach and fan. His healthy return was supposed to be the catalyst for Vrabel’s new aggressive defensive scheme.

Simultaneously, the report offered a sliver of good news with cornerback Charles Woods (groin) being upgraded from limited to full participation. Yet, even this positive step underscores the persistent instability in the secondary. Woods, a recent waiver claim from the Rams, is here precisely because the defensive backfield—once thought to be a position of strength—has been frayed by minor injuries to starters like Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, and upheaval at the safety position. He’s depth, a special teams contributor, but his sudden presence on the active roster is a symptom of a larger issue.

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