Patriots Insider Confirms Drake Maye Injury Theory In Key Update

We now know a bit more about Drake Maye’s apparent shoulder injury, including how long he’s been dealing with it.

Earlier this week, multiple reports indicated Maye suffered an injury during the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Maye and New England head coach Mike Vrabel all but confirmed the shoulder issue during media availabilities on Tuesday.

However, some speculated that Maye actually suffered the injury, the severity of which remains unknown, sometime before the Broncos game. And NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry confirmed that theory Tuesday evening.

“The issue has not been significant enough that it’s limited him in practices or games, which is why we haven’t seen it on the injury report, but it’s not perfect,” Perry said during Tuesday’s “Early Edition” episode. “As Drake Maye mentioned in his (WEEI) interview, (it’s a) long season, 30 weeks of throwing, I’m sure there’s some level of wear and tear there.

“But this is something that he has dealt with prior to the Denver game, and then of course landing hard on it the way he did, that doesn’t help.”

On Drake Maye's health, my understanding is that he was dealing with a right shoulder issue prior to the Denver game.

It hadn't limited him in practices or games, but wasn’t 100 percent. The Talanoa Hufanga hit, which resulted in Maye landing hard on his right side, didn't help.

— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) January 27, 2026

Perry was referencing a play that saw Maye scramble 13 yards before Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga fell on him as he landed on his shoulder. Still, as many have noted, Maye threw a beautiful pass on a 31-yard flea-flicker completion to Mack Hollins two plays later, so his shoulder apparently wasn’t causing him significant discomfort.

Nevertheless, adrenaline can help athletes power through nagging injuries during games before soreness increases the following day. Only Maye and the Patriots know how much pain he truly is dealing with ahead of Super Bowl LX.

New England will hold its first pre-Super Bowl practice on Thursday, after which the Patriots will release an injury report that should provide clarity on Maye’s status. They’ll face the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Feb. 8.