FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye is trending in a positive direction after suffering a concussion last Sunday in the New England Patriots’ win over the New York Jets. But what are the chances of Maye suiting up this Sunday when the Patriots visit the Tennessee Titans?
Let’s go over everything we know about the rookie quarterback’s status for Week 9.
What Happened to Drake Maye?
Maye took a hit to the helmet while being tackled by Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood on an 18-yard scramble in the second quarter. The rookie signal-caller took the next four snaps, one resulting in a sack, before the Patriots punted. He appeared to be in discomfort after each play.
Drake Maye was a little slow to get up after this hit to the head on his last scramble. pic.twitter.com/UUo63fX0w6
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 27, 2024
Maye entered the blue medical tent after the drive and later went to the locker room. The Patriots eventually ruled him out due to a concussion.
Maye completed three of six passes for 23 yards while adding 46 rushing yards and a touchdown before exiting. He was replaced by Jacoby Brissett on the next drive.
Brissett led the Patriots to a dramatic 25-22 victory. He would start this Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans if Maye is ruled out, with rookie Joe Milton III serving as the top backup.
What’s Maye’s Status for Sunday’s Patriots-Titans Game?
Maye has a real shot at playing this Sunday in Tennessee.
The rookie signal-caller practiced Wednesday in a limited capacity while in Phase 3 of the NFL’s concussion protocol (more on that in a bit). Maye seemingly progressed to Stage 4 on Thursday and took the first QB snaps in Friday’s practice.
Drake Maye looks like someone getting ready to play pic.twitter.com/ByPBmEEPAP
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) November 1, 2024
Before Friday’s practice, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Maye still was in protocol and would be limited in practice. That indicated Maye will be listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Titans, but we won’t know for sure until the Patriots release their final Week 9 injury report.
However, when asked whether Maye could play Sunday, Mayo said “yes.” At this point, all signs point toward Maye starting for the Patriots against the Titans.
What’s NFL’s Concussion Protocol?
Let’s look at the five steps of the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Phase 1: Symptom-limited activity
“The player is prescribed rest, limiting or, if necessary, avoiding activities (both physical and cognitive) which increase or aggravate symptoms. Under athletic training staff supervision, limited stretching and balance training can be introduced, progressing to light aerobic exercise, all as tolerated.”
Phase 2: Aerobic exercise
“Under direct oversight of the team’s medical staff, the player should begin graduated cardiovascular exercise and may also engage in dynamic stretching and balance training. Neurocognitive and balance testing can be administered after completion of Phase Two and the results should be interpreted as back to baseline.”
Phase 3: Football-specific exercise
“The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are increased and may mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is allowed to practice with the team in sport-specific exercise for 30 minutes or less with ongoing and careful monitoring.”
Phase 4: Club-based non-contact training
“The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sports-specific exercise, and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g.throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of Phase Four with the results interpreted as back to baseline.”
Phase 5: Full football activity
“Upon clearance by the Club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his Club. If the INC concurs with the Club physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may participate in his Club’s next practice or game.”
LIVE: Jerod Mayo Press Conference 11/1: https://t.co/XaSBXRUhHv
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 1, 2024
If Maye is in Phase 5 of the protocol for Friday’s practice, he’ll be primed to play on Sunday, barring any setbacks. For what it’s worth, Patriots radio broadcaster Scott Zolak on Friday reported Maye is “trending” toward starting Sunday.
Follow Pro Football Network for additional updates on Maye as Sunday’s Patriots-Titans game approaches.
Fantasy Impact of Maye’s Injury
From Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe
Maye hasn’t been perfect as an NFL quarterback, but his versatility has put him on fantasy radars. Prior to the injury, he had a 17-yard touchdown run, giving him a 15+ yard rush in all three of his professional starts.
The passing game is a work in progress, which caps Maye’s upside, but he’s certainly deserving of being on your streamer list when the matchup presents itself assuming his health (games against the Rams, Dolphins, and Colts come in Weeks 11-13).
Should Maye miss time, your fantasy roster won’t be heavily impacted. Rhamondre Stevenson’s value remains about the same (low-end RB2) while Hunter Henry’s value regresses, but he remains in the streamer conversation.
Drake Maye’s PFN QB+ Metrics
Maye showed steady improvement in each of his three starts.
In his first start, the UNC product completed 60.6% of his passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns while committing three turnovers in a loss to the Houston Texans. He added five rushes for 38 yards.
In his second start, Maye completed 70.3% of his passes for two TDs while committing zero turnovers in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He added three rushes for 18 yards.
.@DrakeMaye2's first rushing TD 👏@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/3KiwEdkQFk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2024
Going by Pro Football Network’s proprietary QB+ Metric, Maye’s graded better in both of his first two starts than Brissett did in any of the first five weeks this season.
- Brissett Week 1: 54.2 (C)
- Brissett Week 2: 52.9 (C)
- Brissett Week 3: 41.7 (D+)
- Brissett Week 4: 47.7 (C-)
- Brissett Week 5: 48.1 (C-)
- Maye Week 6: 55.6 (C+)
- Maye Week 7: 63.8 (B-)
In fact, Maye is responsible for the fifth-best Patriots QB+ grade over the last three seasons.
- Mac Jones Week 7, 2023: 69.2 (B)
- Bailey Zappe Week 6, 2022: 68.6 (B)
- Mac Jones Week 12, 2022: 66.4 (B)
- Bailey Zappe Week 5, 2022: 66.2 (B)
- Drake Maye Week 7, 2024: 63.8 (B-)
Maye still has much to work on, including not putting himself in dangerous positions. His footwork and accuracy also remain inconsistent.
However, Maye’s talent is undeniable, and his ceiling undoubtedly is higher than that of Jones, Brissett, or any other post-Tom Brady quarterback in New England.