The New England Patriots returned to the WIN Waste Innovations Field House on Friday for their second practice of the week, but one notable player was not spotted: quarterback Drake Maye was a no-show during the 10-minute media window at the start of the session.
Maye suffered a shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos and was listed as a limited participant on the injury report released following Thursday’s session.
Maye’s absence adds another chapter to the story of his right shoulder injury. While the sophomore quarterback was on the field for all 64 offensive snaps against the Broncos and did not show any obvious limitations during the Patriots’ 10-7 win, he was clearly dealing with what he referred to as “bumps and bruises” after the game.
Nonetheless, neither he nor head coach Mike Vrabel sounded overly concerned when talking to the media this week.
“I think it’s just been one of those things where it’s been a long season and sometimes things show up,” Maye said on Thursday. “I’ll do whatever I can to feel 100%, and I’m sure I’ll get if not there, as close as you can — 99, or do whatever I can to make sure I’m throwing and do whatever. I can to help the team win.”
Besides the 23-year-old, offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. and linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry were also absent during the early portion of Friday’s practice. The Patriots will release an injury report in the afternoon, their last before flying to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
