Drake Maye in NFL concussion protocol after leaving game against Jets
The New England Patriots could be without quarterback Drake Maye for the immediate future after he suffered a concussion on Sunday.
After leaving Sunday’s win over the Jets early following a hit to the head, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has entered NFL concussion protocol. Head coach Jerod Mayo updated reporters on Maye’s status after the game.
“I walked in at halftime and saw him. The competitor that he is, obviously he wanted to go back out there and play,” Mayo said. “But there’s a protocol that he has to go through. Again, can’t wait to get him back.”
Maye suffered the injury late in the first quarter. Running downfield on a scramble, Maye was sliding when he was hit by Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood, whose helmet hit the back of Maye’s helmet. No penalty was called on the play.
Despite that hit, Maye stayed in the game for the rest of the series. Once the offense went to the sideline Maye was checked on in the blue medical tent, then went back to the locker room. Mayo told the CBS broadcast heading into halftime that Maye had been ruled out.
Now, Maye will have to clear the NFL concussion protocol before returning to play. It’s incredibly rare for players to play the week after suffering a concussion under the current protocol, meaning the Patriots could need to turn to Jacoby Brissett next week in Tennessee against the Titans.
Brissett replaced Maye in this game, and went 15-of-24 for 132 yards, adding another 11 yards on three carries. It was his first action since Week 5, before the Patriots turned to Maye as the starter. In his five starts Brissett completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 696 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.
Over his first two starts, Maye completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 541 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. He was also the team’s leading rusher over those two games, picking up 56 yards on eight carries. Before coming out of the game on Sunday Maye was 3-of-6 for 23 yards, and had three carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots’ only other quarterback on the roster is rookie sixth-round pick Joe Milton, who has been inactive and listed as the emergency third QB in all eight games this season. He would likely back up Brissett as long as Maye is out. At the same time, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots add a quarterback to the active roster or practice squad to retain depth while Maye is out.
