NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Saturday.
Maye entered this protocol in the second quarter of the Patriots’ 25-22 win over the New York Jets last Sunday. He was a limited participant in practice this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, was named the Patriots’ starter in Week 6 after veteran Jacoby Brissett opened the year as their top quarterback. Maye helped spark a stagnant offense, going 53-of-84 for 564 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 13 rushes for 114 yards and one touchdown.
On an 18-yard scramble in the first quarter last week, Maye tried to slip when Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood’s helmet touched the back of Maye’s helmet near the end of the run. Maye was slow to get up, but stayed in the game for four plays.
After Maye went to the sideline following a punt, the NFL’s independent concussion monitor was asked to evaluate the quarterback, according to coach Jerod Mayo. Brissett took charge for the rest of the game and helped lead the team to a comeback win, with Mayo saying at halftime that they wanted Maye back for the second half.
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday that the Patriots don’t want to limit May’s running, but emphasized paying attention to him when he starts.
“You hate to take that away from a player, that’s his strength, his ability to get out of the pocket,” Van Pelt said. “One thing we talked about was being safe on the slide. Often when you get into a space you feel clean and can go feet first. That’s what we coach in open spaces. But you never know what’s coming behind you. None, so a quarterback who often avoids injuries will find a soft spot by getting his head down first and getting down from there.
“That’s what we continue to work with with him – understanding what’s around him in those situations – but ultimately we go into every play and ask him to protect the ball and protect himself. That goes for every quarterback.”
Against the Titans (1-6), the Patriots (2-6) will look for back-to-back wins for the first time since October 2022.
