Patriots’ Drake Maye remains in concussion protocol, questionable for Sunday’s game vs. Titans
Jerod Mayo expects Maye to be ready to play whenever he clears the concussion protocol.
Drake Maye’s status for Sunday’s game against the Titans is still up in the air.
The Patriots quarterback has yet to clear concussion protocol and was limited in practice for the third straight day this week, Jerod Mayo told reporters on Friday. He was officially listed as questionable in the final injury report of the week.
“He is still in the protocol,” Mayo said. “So, he is still in the protocol and going through that process. So, he’ll be limited. He has been limited this week so far, but he’ll be limited today as well.”
However, the Patriots head coach seemed hopeful that Maye will get clearance in time in order to suit up to play the Titans.
“Once he gets out of the protocol, I think we feel he’s been cleared by the medical professionals. He’ll be ready to go,” Mayo said.
There are five phases for players to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol before returning to play. It seemed was in Phase 3 of the protocol during Wednesday’s practice as he was allowed to participate in football-specific drills for 30 minutes.
Maye appeared to move up to Phase 4 on Thursday. He was seen practicing with the Patriots’ top unit during Thursday’s practice as Phase 4 allows players in the protocol to participate in non-contact training drills.
Phase 5 allows players in the protocol to return to full physical activity. Players in the protocol must get full clearance from an independent neurological consultant in order to reach Phase 5.
If Maye can’t go, Mayo thinks backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett can lead the Patriots to a win over the Titans.
“Any given day, any given player can just wake up with something and not be able to play. So, I don’t want to get into the hypotheticals,” Mayo said. “I will say this: look, if he can’t play, then we have enough confidence and faith in [Brissett] that he’ll be able to step in and help us win a football game.”
Brissett replaced Maye after the rookie left the Patriots’ Week 8 win over the Jets with a concussion in the second quarter. The veteran completed 15 of 24 passes for 133 yards and didn’t commit a turnover. Brissett also led the Patriots to two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that gave New England the game-winning score with 22 seconds remaining.
Maye’s potential absence might also mean that sixth-round rookie Joe Milton will be the Patriots’ primary backup quarterback for the first time this season. Mayo has liked the progression Milton has made throughout his rookie season.
“Joe’s done a great job,” Mayo said. “I would say for Joe, he’s a natural leader first and foremost. He gets those guys going, which is great. Obviously, he has all the skill set and tools to go out there and make all the throws, but I would say just from his mentality and leadership evolution or progress, I think he’s doing a good job.”
Regardless of who will play at quarterback for the Patriots on Sunday, they’ll go up against a Titans defense that might be better than their 1-7 record indicates. Tennessee ranks first in passing defense entering Week 9, possibly presenting a challenge for a New England aerial attack that’s struggled for much of the season.
Mayo called the Titans’ defense “very good” ahead of Sunday’s matchup, challenging whoever the Patriots start at quarterback to make plays.
“What I would say is at least for those guys, it starts up front,” Mayo said. “They are very good up front. [T’Vondre] Sweat and obviously [Jeffrey] Simmons are very disruptive players, and so we’re going to have to do a good job tying in the protection, the route concepts, and the quarterback play to neutralize that.
“In saying that, no matter who the quarterback is, I think we just can’t sit back in the pocket. I think we need to move around. You have to change the launch point, whether that’s through boots or through dropback pass, 90s, all those things will definitely help us.”
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