Drake Maye leaves Patriots-Jets game after being hit in the head

FOXBORO – A shot to the head sent Drake Maye to the locker room during the first half of Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium.

The rookie quarterback absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit from New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood while sliding after an 18-yard scramble. No penalty was called and Maye played the remainder of the drive, which ended in a New England punt.

Between possessions, Maye was evaluated in the sideline medical tent and then exited the tunnel away from the field. The Patriots announced that he had a head injury and was questionable to return.

Jacoby Brissett, who started New England’s first five games before giving way to Maye, took over behind center with 9:06 remaining in the second quarter and the Patriots trailing 13-7. The Patriots went three-and-out on Brissett’s first possession.

Maye was the Patriots’ leading rusher before his injury, scrambling three times for 46 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 23 yards, with receivers Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte dropping well-placed throws on Maye’s final drive.

In his first two starts — losses to Houston and Jacksonville — Maye completed 65.7% of his passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions and a 99.6 passer rating. The No. 3 overall pick elevated the Patriots’ talent-starved offense and showed more mobility than the veteran Brissett, adding 56 rushing yards on eight scrambles against the Texans and Jaguars.

Sixth-round rookie Joe Milton III has been the Patriots’ emergency quarterback in every game this season. Under NFL rules, players with that designation can only play if the starting QB and his backup both leave the game due to injury.

Originally published: October 27, 2024 at 2:06 PM