The New England Patriots have been dealt another blow ahead of Super Bowl LX after Drake Maye missed practice on Friday for reasons other than his shoulder injury.
On Wednesday, the Patriots star landed on the team’s injury report and, despite the fact New England did not practice on the day, he was listed as a ‘limited’ participant.
It was later revealed that Maye had missed out on that session due to a niggling shoulder injury but, on Friday, he missed practice due to an illness.
At Friday’s press conference, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that, had it not been for the illness, Maye would have participated in the practice.
He also revealed that on Thursday, the signal caller did in fact throw in limited fashion.
Asked if there was any further concerns, Vrabel said: ‘No. No, again we’ve had a lot of guys over the last month, or six weeks, here with an illness.
New England quarterback Drake Maye landed on the team’s injury report on Wednesday
The Patriots signal caller then missed practice on Friday due to an illness, the team confirmed
‘Again, trying to do what’s best for the player and team, and trying to take care of guys. Don’t spread anything. We’ve worked through that over the last six weeks’.
At Thursday’s press conference, Maye also provided his own update on the shoulder injury. ‘This is the game you dream of playing, so [I’m] looking forward to getting out there and playing in the Super Bowl,’ he said.
‘I’m just trying to do whatever I can to get back to 100 percent. I think a lot of people in that locker room would say the same thing. Having a two-week break is nice to rest a little more and get to know the Seahawks as good as I can.’
When asked whether he feels the injury could hinder his ability to throw at Levi’s Stadium on February 8th, the Patriots signal caller played down concerns.
He said on Thursday: ‘No, I don’t think so. I think that’s why you spend time and why you have good trainers. It’s one of those things where it’s a long season, and sometimes things show up.
‘I do whatever I can to feel 100 percent. I’m sure I’ll get, if not there, as close as you can, 99 percent. Make sure I’m throwing and do whatever I can to help the team win.’
The update comes just days after the signal caller sealed his spot in the Super Bowl in just his second season in the league as the Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 10-7 victory in a blustery, snowy AFC Championship game.
Maye came up clutch on a crucial third down late in the fourth quarter which punched New England’s ticket to the big game for the first time since the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era.
Maye insisted he’s doing ‘whatever I can to be 100 percent’ for the showdown in Santa Clara
With the Patriots needing to convert on third-and-5, Maye took the snap and faked the handoff, before rolling back toward his left where he only had one Broncos defenseman to beat.
He managed to then evade Denver linebacker Jonah Elliss to seal the first down, and ultimately, the game.
If the Patriots had failed to convert on the third-down play, they would have been forced to punt on fourth down and leave their Super Bowl chances in the hands of their defense with the hope that they could stop Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
It was a genius play that Maye to cling on to victory that took even his own teammates by surprise.
