Drake Maye Limited in Practice, But Patriots Confident Heading Into Super Bowl Week
As the Patriots gear up for their Super Bowl showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, all eyes are on rookie quarterback Drake Maye-and more specifically, his right shoulder. After being listed as limited on the team’s estimated injury report earlier this week, Maye was on the field Thursday, though he didn’t throw during the portion of practice open to the media. That raised some eyebrows, but both Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel were quick to downplay any serious concern.
Maye told reporters after practice that he did, in fact, throw during the closed portion of the session and is feeling “good.” He was again listed as limited on Thursday’s injury report, but his tone was optimistic.
“We went through normal practice,” Maye said. “I did some reps and did some things. I’m looking forward to getting more reps and feeling it out.”
Asked if he expects to be limited in the Super Bowl, Maye didn’t hesitate.
“I think it’s just one of those things that happens during a long season,” he said. “Sometimes things pop up. I’ll do whatever I can to feel 100 percent-or as close to it as I can-so I’m ready to go out there and help the team win.”
That’s exactly what Patriots fans want to hear from their young quarterback heading into the biggest game of the year. Maye’s been the face of New England’s resurgence all season, and despite a few bumps in the postseason, he’s shown the kind of poise and playmaking ability that makes you believe the moment won’t be too big for him.
The Patriots will hold another practice on Friday before taking Saturday off. On Sunday, they’ll host a fan send-off rally at Gillette Stadium before heading west to Santa Clara, California.
“This is the game you dream of playing in,” Maye said. “I’m looking forward to getting out there.”
Injury Updates Beyond Maye
While Maye’s shoulder situation drew the most attention, the Patriots are dealing with other injury concerns heading into Super Bowl week. Linebacker Robert Spillane, who exited the AFC Championship Game with an ankle injury, did not practice Thursday. Several other players-Harold Landry, Marte Mapu, Hunter Henry, and Thayer Munford-were also not spotted during the early portion of practice.
Vrabel, for his part, kept the focus on preparation and didn’t sound overly concerned when asked about Maye’s shoulder. Specifically, he addressed speculation that Maye may have aggravated the injury prior to the AFC title game.
“If that were the case, he would’ve been on the injury report,” Vrabel said. “I try not to have a whole lot of concern. My job is to prepare the football team, make sure everyone’s ready, and that we have a plan.”
Vrabel emphasized the importance of staying present and focusing on the day-to-day work leading up to the Super Bowl, rather than getting caught up in speculation or distractions.
Maye’s Postseason So Far
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Maye. After an MVP-caliber regular season, he’s faced some turbulence in the playoffs, going up against three of the league’s top defenses in the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos.
The Seahawks won’t make things any easier. Seattle’s defense is fast, physical, and opportunistic-exactly the kind of unit that thrives in high-stakes games.
Still, the Patriots are sticking to their routine. Vrabel said the team is treating Thursday like a typical Wednesday in terms of game prep, a nod to the adjusted schedule with the Super Bowl still over a week away.
Vrabel Reflects on Belichick’s Hall of Fame Snub
Vrabel also fielded questions about his former coach, Bill Belichick, who was surprisingly left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility-a decision that sparked plenty of reaction across the football world.
“I’m sure Bill will get in,” Vrabel said. “That’s out of my control.
I know my eight years with him were great years. The teammates, the experiences-we all know what he meant to this organization.”
When asked whether preparing for a Super Bowl has given him a deeper appreciation for what Belichick accomplished, Vrabel pointed to the obvious.
“I think the record speaks for itself,” he said. “My experience doesn’t change how I feel about Bill as a coach.”
Terrell Williams to Join Team in California
In some uplifting news, Vrabel shared that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who has been away from the team while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, is doing well and will travel with the team to California for Super Bowl week.
“He’s excited about traveling with us,” Vrabel said. “We’re excited to have him.”
Williams’ return is a boost for a Patriots defense that’s been rock solid throughout the postseason and will need to be sharp against a Seahawks offense that’s hitting its stride.
Maye Mic’d Up: A Glimpse Into the Rookie’s Fire
If you caught the mic’d-up footage from the AFC Championship Game, you got a rare look at Maye’s demeanor on the field. For the most part, he was calm and composed-but when the moment called for it, the fire came out. After sealing the win with a clutch first-down run, Maye let it rip.
“ONE. FIRST. DOWN,” he shouted, punctuating the play with a burst of emotion that showed just how much the moment meant.
Vrabel was asked about Maye’s competitive edge and how it’s evolved over the course of the season.
“There are different ways to show you’re a competitor,” Vrabel said. “You can be loud and fiery, or you can be more laid back and let it show when the ball is snapped.
Drake’s more the second type. But when he’s mic’d up, you get to see a little more of that fire.”
Bottom Line
The Patriots are heading into Super Bowl week with their quarterback banged up, but not broken. Maye’s shoulder will be something to monitor, but both he and the team remain confident he’ll be ready when it matters most.
With a week and a half to go, the focus is on preparation, execution, and keeping distractions at bay. The stage is set.
Now it’s about getting to the finish line healthy-and ready to make history.