For the first time this season Patriots quarterback Drake Maye missed practice Friday, but not because of the shoulder injury that limited him the day before, according to head coach Mike Vrabel.
Maye was sick.
Vrabel told reporters Maye showed up at the building today and was able to participate in meetings, but an “illness” kept him away from actual practice.
“He came to work,” Vrabel said. “I don’t know where he’s at right now, but I think he’s here.”
Maye was limited the day before with a shoulder injury, and not seen throwing during the portion of practice open to media. Vrabel confirmed, Friday, that Maye did take throwing reps during that practice, confirming what Maye told media Thursday afternoon.
“He would have been at practice today, if not for the illness,” Vrabel said.
Maye popped up on a projected injury report Wednesday, when the team was off from practice, limited by a shoulder injury. On Thursday, Vrabel said the injury was new and not something from earlier in the season that was reaggravated, “because then he would have been listed on the injury report before then,” he explained.
However, when asked on ‘WEEI Afternoons’ on Tuesday about his shoulder and whether anything in the AFC Championship Game led to his current status, Maye cited the wear and tear all quarterbacks go through during a long playoff run:
Really, I don’t think it’s from the game,” he said, when asked specifically about whether he injured his right shoulder Sunday. “I think it’s from the build-up of throwing almost, including training camp, 30 weeks straight of throwing, and four days a week, it can add up. But I think we’ve got some extra rest. Feeling good and ready to go for the Super Bowl.”
What’s clear is that Maye is not 100% healthy, although Vrabel told WEEI’s ‘Greg Hill Show’ that no player in the locker room is, at this point in the year.
Maye’s injury is on his right side – his throwing shoulder – which is part of the reason it’s garnering so much attention. Although Maye missed some playing time in his rookie year due to head injuries, this is the first time an upper body injury has limited him in his NFL career. He underwent an MRI for a knee injury in 2024, but was a full participant in practice afterwards.
On Thursday, after saying he was able to get out and move around a bit and throw, he shared that he’s optimistic that his ability to throw won’t be affected by whatever he’s dealing with:
“I don't think so. That's why you spend time. That's why you have trainers. I think it's just been one of those things where it's a long season, and sometimes things show up. I'm going to do whatever I can to feel 100%. 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 like I said, do whatever I can to help the team win.”
The Patriots have an off day on Saturday before traveling to Santa Clara to prepare for Super Bowl LX. They’ll hold four practices ahead of the big game while out west.