Rookie QB manages shoulder injury and sickness nine days before facing Seattle Seahawks, maintains confidence about readiness
Drake Maye didn’t practice Friday. Nine days before the Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, the rookie quarterback sat out due to illness adding another layer to an already complicated injury situation. Maye is managing a right shoulder injury sustained in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game win, the kind of injury that typically gets all the attention in a Super Bowl prep week. But now there’s illness on top of it, forcing the Patriots to be cautious about his availability as the most important game of the season approaches.
Coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t alarmed. “We’ve had a lot of guys over the last month, six weeks here, with illness,” Vrabel said. “So, again, just trying to do what’s best for the player and the team. I’m trying to take care of guys don’t spread anything.” Translation: this is precautionary. This is about managing the roster health during a critical prep week. This is a coach protecting his quarterback from further complications.
Maye has been a model of consistency all season. He didn’t miss a single practice before Friday. Not one. That makes his absence notable, not catastrophic. He was present at the facility Friday and involved in meetings, according to Vrabel. He’s not sidelined. He’s just not practicing. There’s a difference.
But here’s what matters more: Maye’s mindset. Despite the shoulder injury and now the illness, he’s locked in on the Super Bowl. “I’m looking forward to being ready to go. This is the game you dream of playing in, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and getting a chance to play in the Super Bowl,” he said Thursday before the illness kept him out Friday.
That’s the kind of focus you want from your quarterback nine days before the biggest game of his life.
When injury management becomes art
Thursday, Maye was a limited participant in practice. He and the other quarterbacks didn’t throw during the time reporters were present. That’s telling. You don’t shut down your Super Bowl quarterback’s throwing arm for no reason. But Vrabel noted the shoulder responded “favorably” to whatever treatment protocol they’ve implemented.
The shoulder injury is serious enough that Maye was asked directly if it might limit his throwing ability in the game. His response was typically confident: “No, I don’t think so. That’s why you have trainers. 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%.”
That’s a 22-year-old rookie talking like a veteran. He’s not panicking about the injury. He’s not questioning whether he’ll be ready. He’s acknowledging the challenge while expressing confidence that preparation and professional medical care will get him to game-ready status.
The Patriots’ medical staff has nine days to get Maye from 99% to whatever percentage he’ll actually be at in Las Vegas. Nine days to manage both the shoulder and now the illness. Nine days to ensure their rookie quarterback can execute at the highest level in the Super Bowl.
The depth chart shift with Maye absent
In Maye’s absence Friday, Joshua Dobbs moved to the No. 1 spot on the depth chart, with third-year player Tommy DeVito as his backup. That’s a procedural move that happens whenever the starter doesn’t practice, but it also highlights how dependent the Patriots are on Maye staying healthy. Dobbs is a capable veteran nine years in the league but he’s not the Patriots’ Super Bowl quarterback. Maye is.
The Patriots know this. Vrabel knows this. That’s why the caution about illness, why the limited practice participation Thursday, why the focus on letting medical professionals handle the shoulder recovery.
Nine days to get ready
The Patriots are scheduled to be off Saturday before traveling to California on Sunday. Once there, they’ll hold four practices as the Super Bowl preparation intensifies. That’s the window: four practices in California to finalize game plans, get the offense in rhythm, and ensure Maye is physically and mentally ready for the Seahawks.
An illness on Friday could complicate things, but Vrabel’s comfort level suggests it’s manageable. The shoulder is being managed. The rookie’s confidence is unshaken. The team is focused.
Nine days. That’s all the Patriots have. And Maye’s willingness to push through adversity a shoulder injury and now illness suggests he’ll be ready when it matters most.
