Drake Maye’s Shoulder Injury Raises Concerns
The buzz surrounding Drake Maye’s shoulder injury continues to amplify. New England’s starting quarterback was absent from Friday’s practice, causing some concern within the team as they prepare for the Super Bowl, which is just nine days away.
Coach Mike Vrabel mentioned Maye was out due to “injury and illness,” which is notable since he had not missed any practices throughout the entire season. “We’ve had quite a few players dealing with sickness over the past month or so,” Vrabel explained to reporters. “We’re just trying to take care of our players and prevent any further spread.”
This comes right after Maye’s standout regular season performance. The 23-year-old quarterback was limited during practices after he sustained a hit on his right throwing shoulder during the AFC Championship game against the Broncos, particularly in the third quarter.
While both he and Vrabel attempted to minimize the injury’s seriousness, Maye did acknowledge feeling “bruised.” “I’m really looking forward to getting ready,” he shared with reporters on Thursday. “This is the game you dream of playing in. I can’t wait to get out there and have that Super Bowl experience.”
If no major setbacks occur, Maye is expected to face the Seahawks on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“I think it’s been one of those long seasons,” Maye commented. “Sometimes things just pop up. I’ll push myself to feel as close to 100% as possible—well, around 99% or so,” he added with a slight chuckle. “My main goal is to help the team win.”
After addressing reporters, Vrabel reassured that his level of concern about Maye’s condition is “not that great.”
That should come as a relief to Patriots fans who are now looking at the quarterback situation, which includes Josh Dobbs, who was elevated to a first-string role, along with third-stringer Tommy DeVito.
“I try not to get too worried,” Vrabel remarked. “My focus is on preparing our team and having a solid plan in place to avoid any surprises.”
In only his second season, Maye has drastically turned around the Patriots, shifting the team’s record from 4-13 the previous year to an impressive 14-3, positioning them for a shot at the title.
Maye has emerged as a strong MVP contender, with impressive stats including 4,394 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, just eight interceptions, and leading the league in passer rating at 113.5 along with a QB rating of 77.1.
