Patriots coach has positive update on Drake Maye’s head injury

FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye is already returning to the practice field in Foxborough.

The Patriots quarterback got a concussion in last weekend’s win over the Jets, and according to coach Jerod Mayo, Maye is in good spirits and will be in limited capacity with his teammates Wednesday afternoon as he continues to navigate the NFL’s concussion protocol.

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“He is in protocol and he will be a limited participant in practice today,” Mayo said. “He will throw the ball occasionally in training today, but he will be limited. There are people much smarter than me when it comes to cleaning up people with concussions and we will lean on our medical professionals as well as the NFL league’s policies to get him ready to play.

“I’m confident that when the league says he’s ready to play, he’ll be able to go out there and operate,” Mayo added. “Saying that, I feel very comfortable putting Jacoby in there as he is a professional and always stays ready, as you can see in the last match.”

Mayo initially declined to say which stage of the NFL’s 5-stage concussion protocol Maye was in, but later said he would not practice for more than 30 minutes, indicating he is likely in Stage 3.

Phase 3, Football-specific exercises: The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are expanded and can mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is permitted to practice with the team in sport-specific drills for 30 minutes or less, under continuous and careful monitoring.

There are two more steps before a player is cleared to play:

Phase 4, Club-Based Non-Contact Drills: The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sport-specific drills, and participates in non-contact soccer activities (e.g., throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of phase four, with results interpreted as return to baseline.

Phase 5, Full Football Activity/Clear: Following clearance from the club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his club. If the INC agrees with the club doctor that the player’s concussion has been resolved, he may participate in his club’s next training or match.

Mayo indicated that if Maye is not cleared Sunday in Tennessee, Joe Milton III will serve as Brissett’s backup.