New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who suffered a concussion during last week’s victory over the New York Jets, remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, casting uncertainty over his availability for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Despite the lingering concussion concerns, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Maye could still be cleared to start.
During a Friday press conference at Gillette Stadium, Mayo kept his updates on Maye limited, confirming that the rookie quarterback had been a limited practice participant throughout the week. When asked if there was a chance Maye might be cleared for Sunday, Mayo answered with a simple “yes,” leaving the door open for a potential return. Still, the final decision hinges on the official Week 9 injury report, expected later this weekend.
Maye, who’s been one of the few bright spots for New England’s offense, was removed from last Sunday’s game after an NFL spotter directed him to the medical tent. While reports indicated that Maye was eager to rejoin the game by halftime, he remained on the sidelines as a precaution. After the game, Mayo voiced his frustration with officiating, calling some of the refs’ decisions “questionable,” a remark widely interpreted as discontent over the lack of penalties on the hit that sidelined Maye.
If Maye isn’t cleared, the Patriots will turn to veteran Jacoby Brissett, who stepped in admirably last week, completing 15 of 24 passes for 132 yards. Brissett led three scoring drives in the second half, including a crucial game-winning drive, where he added 14 rushing yards to cap off the victory over the Jets. This week, Brissett has taken the majority of the practice reps, preparing to lead the offense against Tennessee if needed.
Mayo mentioned that the team feels prepared with either quarterback, noting that there isn’t a “significant difference” in how the offense operates with Brissett in place of Maye. Joe Milton has also been elevated to serve as backup quarterback if Maye can’t suit up.
Patriots fans will be watching closely for updates, as the potential absence of Maye—a rising star in his rookie year—adds yet another layer of intrigue to the Patriots’ push to stay competitive in a tough AFC East. A final decision on Maye’s status should come just before game time on Sunday.
