Drake Maye leaves Patriots' win over Jets with a concussion

FOXBORO -- New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye was forced out of Sunday's comeback win over the the New York Jets after suffering a concussion late in the first quarter. There is no update on his status going forward, but head coach Jerod Mayo painted a somewhat promising picture after the team's 25-22 victory.

"I walked in at halftime and saw him, and the competitor he is, he wanted to go back out there," Mayo said of Maye. "But there's protocol he has to go through and I can't wait to get him back."

Drake Maye injured on helmet-to-helmet hit from behind

Maye was injured when he took a hit from behind by Jets safety Jamien Sherwood. Maye was finishing up an 18-yard scramble against New York late in the first quarter when Sherwood came in from behind and delivered a big hit to the back of his helmet. 

No flag was thrown on the play.

Maye took a sack two plays after that hit, and his third-down pass to Kashon Boutte bounced off the receiver's hands to set up a New England punt.  While the New England offense was on the sideline, Maye made his way to the blue medical tent. He eventually left the field and went to the Patriots' locker room, where he remained for the rest of the day. 

He was initially deemed questionable to return with a head injury, but later ruled out with a concussion.

When can Drake Maye return for Patriots?

Maye can't return for the Patriots until he passes the return-to-participation protocol. That is broken into five phases:

Phase One: Symptom Limited Activity

The player/patient is told to rest and limit -- or potentially avoid -- activities that could aggravate their symptoms. 

"During this Phase, the player-patient may engage in activities of daily living as well as limited stretching and balance activities as tolerated at the discretion of the Club medical staff. Phase 1 may include LIGHT aerobic activity. Should additional medical issues present, the Club physician should consider external consultation or additional diagnostic examinations."

Phase Two: Aerobic Exercise

Players can start cardio exercises and stretching/balance activities under the supervision of the team's medical staff. 

"The duration and intensity of all activity may be gradually increased so long as the player-patient does not increase or aggravate signs or symptoms while performing the activity and for a reasonable period thereafter. If there is any increase or aggravation of signs or symptoms, the activity should be discontinued. He may, however, attend regular team meetings and engage in film study."

Phase Three: Football Specific Exercise

Cardio exercises are increased and "begin to mimic sport specific activities, as well as supervised strength training." Players can practice with the team "in sport specific exercise for 30 minutes or less, with ongoing and careful symptom monitoring by the medical staff."

Phase Four: Club-Based Non-Contact Training Drills

The player can start to participate in "non-contact football activities such as throwing, catching, running and other position-specific activities, progressing to participation in non-contact team practice activities."

To advance to the fifth and final phase, players have to have undergone neurocognitive and balance testing.

Phase Five: Full Football Activity/Clearance

A player can return to full activity only after being cleared by a club physician AND an independent neurological consultant.

Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback

Veteran Jacoby Brissett took over at quarterback for the first time since being benched for Maye ahead of Week 6's game against the Texans.  

The Patriots went three-and-out in Brissett's first series, but the veteran led the offense on a pair of second-half touchdown drives.

New England took advantage of some great field position on their first possession of the second half thanks to a 62-yard punt return from Marcus Jones. Rhamondre Stevenson rushed it in from three yards out a few plays later to give the team a 14-13 edge early in the third quarter.

The Patriots punted away their next two possessions before a 14-play field goal drive in the fourth quarter. The Jets scored a touchdown with 2:57 left in the game to take a 25-22 lead, but then the Patriots answered with a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive of their own to win the game.

Brissett moved the chains himself with a 14-yard scramble on a third-and-9, and then hit Boutte for 34 yards on a deep third-and-10 pass. That set up Stevenson's go-ahead touchdown from a yard out, which came on fourth-and-goal for New England. 

Overall, Brissett was 15-of-34 for 132 passing yards in place of the injured Maye.

Drake Maye's injury outlook

This is obviously terrible new for the Patriots. Concussions and head injuries are serious and nothing to take lightly, and every one of them is different. 

Mayo's update after the game sounded optimistic, but we probably won't know much about Maye's condition for at least a few more days. 

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