Injury scare in New England: Josh McDaniels reveals reality of Drake Maye’s shoulder
Is Drake Maye's shoulder a real concern for the Patriots? Josh McDaniels finally gave a clear answer.
J osh McDaniels , offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots , gave the first clear explanation of why Drake Maye appeared on the injury report this week. His answer should clear up some of the speculation that has surrounded the quarterback for the past month: the current problem doesn't appear to be the shoulder that bothered him so much last winter.
What's wrong with Drake Maye after the Patriots' 35-6 loss?
"I believe it just got dinged last week," the 50-year-old said Thursday, pointing to the 35-6 loss in Jacksonville.
The detail matters. Maye hurt his right shoulder in last season's AFC Championship Game and needed an injection to manage the pain before Super Bowl LX , a 29-13 loss to Seattle . Until McDaniels spoke, it wasn't clear whether the current injury was related to that problem or was something new.
McDaniels suspects the hit came on one of Maye's four runs against the Jaguars.
"He's always been a guy that can run and do things with his legs and all that, and he's taken a few hits since he's been in the National Football League," McDaniels continued. "That's kind of part of the process when you can make things happen with your legs. You're gonna incur some hits. They would obviously tell me if there was something that we felt like we couldn't do or he couldn't do, and that has not been the case. I know he's a tough kid. Doesn't make a big deal out of much, and so business as usual for us."
The offensive coordinator was emphatic that nothing has changed in the team's operation. When asked whether the injury had affected practices or play-calling, he answered without hesitation:
Maye said something similar on Wednesday, insisting the shoulder issue hasn't affected his throws or his decisions on the field. He also practiced fully in each of the last two days.
The questions about his physical condition arose from the rough start to the season. Maye has just one touchdown pass against six interceptions in three games and seven total turnovers, while New England enters Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at 1-2.
