Countless Patriots fans likely were caught off guard when Drake Maye exited Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium.
Even New England’s head coach was a bit taken aback when the rookie quarterback needed medical attention.
Maye took a helmet-to-helmet hit from New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood late in the first quarter, but the 22-year-old popped right back up and quarterbacked the Patriots for the last five plays of that drive. The early game possession proved to be Maye’s final action of Week 8, though, as he was removed from the contest and entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Speaking with the media after New England’s 25-22 win, Jerod Mayo confirmed Maye still was in the protocol as of Monday morning. The first-year head coach understandably didn’t want to dive too deep into Maye’s situation, but he did offer a moment of candor.
“I was surprised when (head athletic trainer Jim) Whalen told me he had to go to the medical tent because he threw a couple good balls afterwards,” Mayo told reporters, as transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I thought he was still pretty sharp in those regards. But obviously it’s above my pay grade as far as pulling him out of the game and putting him in the protocol.”
Jacoby Brissett replaced Maye on Sunday and led an impressive game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, which lifted New England to its first victory since Week 1. If Maye isn’t available this weekend, Brissett will make his sixth start of the season in Tennessee against the Titans.
