Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still in concussion protocol, but there’s hope he’ll be ready to return Sunday.
Maye suffered the injury in last Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium, being on the unfortunate end of helmet-to-helmet contact despite already being in the process of a slide.
New England issued some positive updates throughout the week, with head coach Jerod Mayo leaving the door open on Friday.
“Drake is still in the protocol,” Mayo said, per team-provided video. “He is still in the protocol and going through that process. He’ll be limited; he has been limited this week so far, but he’ll be limited today, as well.”
Is there a chance that he will play on Sunday?
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“Yes,” Mayo responded.
The NFL has a five-step concussion protocol that must be followed, which includes a progression from limited activities (step one) to aerobic exercises (step two) to football-specific exercises (step three) to club-based non-contact drills (step four) to clearance by an independent doctor (step five).
Maye presumably is in step four after participating throughout most of practice Thursday, meaning all that’s left to do is be cleared by an independent doctor. The Patriots certainly hope he will be cleared, which Mayo said would lead to his return against the Tennessee Titans.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images
