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The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks share a common concern heading into the Super Bowl. Both of their star quarterbacks are on the injury report.
The first injury report for both teams occurred Wednesday despite neither team practicing until Thursday, and the participation statuses were listed as estimates. Sam Darnold was listed as limited with an oblique injury, while Drake Maye was listed with a right shoulder injury.
Darnold has been on the injury report since before the Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional round. He said he felt something in his oblique Thursday before the game and reportedly didn’t throw a football until he took the field Saturday.
(Left) New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) run after a Patriots touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026. (Right) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold on the 20th play against Los Angeles (14). Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington on January 25, 2026. (David Butler II/Imagn Images; Kevin Ng/Imagn Images)
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Darnold, 28, played well against the 49ers, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 41-6 blowout win. After the game, he shared first-team reps with Drew Lock leading into the team’s NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to ESPN’s report.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said during the week that his throws in practice would be limited but that his condition was improving. Darnold planned to take a painkiller injection before the game, according to the report.
The injection worked as Darnold had one of the best games of his career in what was the biggest game of his career. The former USC star completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the Seahawks’ thrilling 31-27 victory.
Meanwhile, Maye suffered a shoulder injury during the Patriots’ 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. The 23-year-old appeared to be injured in the third quarter when he was hit on a tackle and immediately grabbed his right shoulder.
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 over the Los Angeles Rams.
Maye said after the fight that he had some bumps and bruises.
“Some bumps and bruises, but hey, that’s what it takes,” Maye said. “And I think a lot of those guys in that locker room are struggling through things, and I think the best thing about it at the same time is that we get a chance to do that. Another chance I need to get healthy.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said during a press conference Tuesday that Maye is not 100% this time of year, but nobody is 100% this time of year.
Maye, who was great in the regular season, hasn’t seen the same success in the playoffs, despite making the Super Bowl.
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after the New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. 25 January 2026.
In the regular season, the 23-year-old completed 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, along with 421 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In the playoffs, Maye hasn’t been as effective through the air, completing 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while being sacked 15 times.
However, Maye has been dynamic with his legs, rushing for 141 yards and one touchdown, the only Patriots score in the AFC Championship, in three games.
The Patriots need Maye to be at their best in the Super Bowl, as the Seahawks’ defense was the best in the NFL this season, allowing just 17.1 points per game. match.
