Phil Perry: There is Optimism That Drake Maye Will Play Against The Titans
On Thursday’s edition of Toucher and Hardy, Phil Perry who covers the Patriots for NBC Sports Boston, joined the show. While discussing the possibility of Drake Maye getting clearance from the NFL’s concussion protocol before Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Perry explained that due to the fact Drake Maye practiced, the rookie quarterback has a legitimate chance to be cleared by kickoff.
“He Has A Legitimate Shot At Playing…”
Fred Toucher: How’s Drake Maye?
Phil Perry: Pretty good. I mean, he was able to practice for 30 minutes yesterday. When Mayo told us that, that was sort of an indication that he was in phase three out of the five phase return to participation, which is part of the NFL’s concussion protocol. That to me, means he has a legitimate shot at playing on Sunday. I think there is optimism that he will be able to play on Sunday. Now, we’ll see how it goes. Phase four, if he’s into phase four by today, basically means more practice time. So phase three is 30 minutes of practice, phase four is more.
Wallach: We’re not going to know because the media availability at practice is limited.
Phil Perry: Correct, unless somebody is able to tell us. We’ll talk to Alex Van Pelt today, if he says something along the lines of, “you know, we’ll get to see him throw a little bit more today,” that maybe that’s a sign that he’s that he’s almost into phase five. Phase five is if your trainer has cleared you for play. Then the league’s independent neurological consultant then clears you to play as well, and then he would be able to play on Sunday. So he’s got enough time between now and Sunday to be able to check those boxes. It’s just a question of is he symptom free or not?
Wallach: So how do the Patriots prepare for this Sunday with Maye in limbo?
Phil Perry: I think what they’ll do is that they’ll practice assuming that Maye will be able to play. Then if he can’t, you do what you did on Sunday, which is you tweak whatever the Drake Maye game plan was in real time. You say,” Sorry Jacoby, we would have loved to prepare all week as though you were the guy. But this is what they have to do now.” To give themselves the best chance to win is just assume Drake Maye will play. This is one of the benefits of having Jacoby Brissett as your backup quarterback. It’s nothing that he’s not used to.