Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell's ankle injury not considered serious

The Packers provided some good news on linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, as Green Bay awaits his return from an ankle injury.

Last week, Campbell missed joint practices with the New England Patriots, as well as the team’s preseason game against the franchise. However, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn’t concerned with any long-term effects on Campbell, as he explained to the media.

“It’s not a long-term thing,” Gutekunst said Friday, via Zach Kruse of Packers Wire. “He’s a seasoned pro so I don’t think this will hold him back much.”

That’s great news for Green Bay. Campbell has been a stud for the Packers since coming to the franchise in 2021, truly breaking out after playing for the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals prior. He’s going to be a huge part of the defense once again in 2023, so a healthy ankle will certainly be needed.

In his stead, third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie received some extra reps. While he’s not pushing Campbell for his job, it was beneficial to McDuffie to get some extra work in, and it’s helped him get ready for the upcoming season.

“It was very (beneficial),” McDuffie told Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “Any snaps I get I feel like are very, very critical for my development and for me to take that next step.”

Meanwhile, the preseason game against the aforementioned Patriots that Campbell missed on Saturday night had some harrowing storylines afterwards. The game was suspended prior to its conclusion, with the decision came mutually from both teams and officials after a scary injury to Patriots defensive back Isaiah Bolden. 

Bolden coming in for a run of the mill tackle in the open field. But as the ball carrier cut up field, fellow Patriot defender Calvin Munson came through the space and delivered a crushing, incidental blow to Bolden’s head.

After Bolden pirouetted to the ground, he stayed down motionless until he was carted off the field and then left the stadium in an ambulance. 

Bolden “had feeling in all his extremities, but has been taken to a local hospital for further tests and observation,” the Patriots said on X/Twitter shortly after the game was ended early.

Following that moment in the second half, both teams came to the decision to halt proceedings for the day with around 10 minutes to play. The game ended with the Patriots leading, 21-17. 

The Packers final preseason game will be on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. It remains to be seen if De’Vondre Campbell will be on the field, or if Green Bay will hold their linebacker out once again.