Boston, Massachusetts – November 24, 2025 – In a shocking statement rocking the American football world, New England Patriots legend Tom Brady has sharply criticized the collision that led to the severe injury of rookie star Will Campbell during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Brady described the play as “resembling a deliberate takedown,” prompting the NFL to swiftly open an investigation into defensive end Cedric Johnson overnight.

The Week 12 NFL 2025 matchup at Paycor Stadium saw the Patriots secure a narrow 26-20 victory over the Bengals, but the joy was overshadowed by the horrific injury to Campbell – the left tackle rookie selected as the No. 4 draft pick this year.

The injury occurred in the third quarter, with the Patriots leading 23-13. During a run play, running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed to the left, and Campbell was blocking to protect him. Cedric Johnson (#52, Bengals) charged in to tackle Henderson but inadvertently slammed his head into Campbell’s right leg, causing it to twist and get pinned under, leading to Campbell collapsing and being carted off the field with a towel over his face, tears streaming down.

Tom Brady, the legendary former Patriots quarterback with 7 Super Bowl championships, shared his thoughts on the FOX commentary program right after the game: “I’ve watched the replay over and over, and it doesn’t look like an accidental collision at all. It resembles a takedown – an action that could destroy the career of a talented rookie. The NFL needs to examine this thoroughly, as player safety must be the top priority.” Brady’s commentary quickly went viral on social media, with thousands of Patriots fans agreeing and calling for league intervention.

According to sources from ESPN, the NFL responded promptly by launching an internal investigation overnight on November 23. The probe focuses on determining whether Johnson’s collision constitutes “unnecessary roughness” (unwarranted rough behavior), even though officials did not flag it initially. Video analysis experts suggest that while Johnson was aiming for Henderson, the angle of the charge could be seen as a “low block” – a prohibited action in certain situations to protect players’ knees. If deemed a violation, Johnson could face fines or suspension, similar to past dirty play cases involving Ndamukong Suh or Vontaze Burfict.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, without directly accusing the Bengals, expressed deep concern post-game: “We don’t have an official update on Will yet, but it doesn’t look good. He’s a pillar of our offensive line, and this injury could have a major impact on the season.” Vrabel also hinted that he would closely monitor the NFL’s investigation. Meanwhile, quarterback Drake Maye – whom Campbell has protected all season – sent words of encouragement: “Will is our brother. Hoping he gets back soon.”

Campbell’s injury was initially diagnosed as damage to his right knee (possibly MCL or ACL), and he will undergo an MRI for a full assessment. This is a major blow to the Patriots, who lead the AFC East with a 10-2 record, thanks to a solid offensive line largely bolstered by Campbell. The rookie has had an impressive start, playing all 12 games and being praised as “rock-solid” at left tackle.

This incident has sparked widespread debate about player safety in the NFL, particularly regarding low-line collisions. Bengals fans defend Johnson, arguing it was just an accidental mishap, while the Patriots community demands justice. The investigation is expected to yield results in the coming days and could lead to rule changes if systemic issues are uncovered.

The Patriots will face a significant challenge in the next week without Campbell, and the entire team hopes the rookie star recovers soon to continue their Super Bowl pursuit.