Drake Maye has had a strong, promising rookie season for the New England Patriots. But now there is some concern over concussions.
On the Patriots’ first drive of Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers Maye suffered what appeared to be a second concussion in a little more than two months after taking a big hit. Maye went back to the locker room when the Chargers put together a long drive for a touchdown. Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback. The Patriots reported that Maye was questionable with a head injury.
On a third down Maye ran near the sideline. He stepped out but right as he did he took a huge hit from Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, with Hart’s helmet hitting Maye in the helmet as he performed a spin move. No penalty was called because Maye was a runner on the play and trying to stay in bounds.
Maye stayed down for a few seconds, holding his facemask. He got up slow and went to the sideline, and after sitting on the bench for a few seconds he was summoned to the blue medical tent to be checked for a concussion. Not long after that he left for the locker room.
Maye missed the second half of a Week 8 game against the New York Jets due to a concussion, though he returned to start the next week.
It seems likely Maye will be held out of the regular-season finale next week, with the Patriots having been eliminated from the playoff race weeks ago. Maye started his 11th game on Saturday, and has 14 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He has mostly looked pretty good playing with a poor supporting cast.
If Maye’s rookie season is over, the Patriots should feel good that they have their answer at quarterback. They can’t feel great about multiple head injuries, however.