Campbell took himself from the field in Sunday's win over Essendon and chief of football Donald McDonald said the 22 year-old's decision to do so was a smart one.
"It was a good call by Matty," McDonald told kangaroos.com.au. "He felt the tightness. It was just too big a risk to whack him back on.
"The last thing we wanted was a tear and a four- or five-week injury."
McDonald said the six-day turnaround between games made it difficult for Campbell to pass a fitness test and keep his place in the side.
"It's just an edema (fluid build-up) there," he said. "With it being a short week it hasn't helped.
"We've just ruled him out nice and early to get him right for the following week."
Hip soreness will keep midfielder Daniel Wells sidelined for a second week after his recall was deemed too risky.
"Again, because of the short turnaround, we just don't want to play any bloke who's unfit," McDonald said.
"When I say unfit, there are no worries about his fitness. He's got a fantastic base because he had a great pre-season.
"We're just better off getting on top of it now so it's something that doesn't linger on."
Twenty-year-old draftee Liam Anthony (foot stress fracture) and 19-year-old key position prospect Robbie Tarrant (knee soreness) remain two weeks away from a return to full training.
McDonald said that given the players' age, the club had to take a very cautious approach.
"With those types of injuries, it just really gets down to the pain," he said. "You can't get work into them until that soreness goes away.
"Even if the scans look alright, it's got to get back to the player and if he can feel the pain."
However, luckless defender Jesse Smith's fortunes appear to be on the rise with McDonald confirming the 22 year-old will start running next week.
Smith suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury last month and, even though a return date is uncertain, progress is a small victory.
McDonald said Smith's focus would be getting his hamstrings at similar strengths.
"He's had a good four-week strength and conditioning program for his legs ... hopefully that will speed up the recovery process," he said.
"In the past he's been able to run pretty early in his rehab but this time around we've just decided to get that strength really at its height.
"He'll definitely play in the second half of the year and hopefully sooner."
And North can tick another player off its injury list with rookie midfielder Cruize Garlett having overcome an ankle injury.
He can now push for selection with VFL affiliate North Ballarat.
"His development had been fantastic over the pre-season period," McDonald said.
"The sooner we get him up and about the better."
