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New England Patriots star quarterback Drake Maye appears to have suffered a shoulder injury during the team’s 10-7 victory in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the internet doctors speculating about Maye’s injury, and Vrabel didn’t allay the concerns of Patriots nation with his answer.
“There’s not a player on our team that’s 100% healthy,” Vrabel said during a recent appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” when asked about Maye.
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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. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Vrabel was then asked if he thought Maye was healthy enough to play at a high level, and the head coach continued to not directly answer the question.
“I would imagine we go through the injury report and every time we have to hand it in, we hand it in. But nobody is 100%. It will be our 21st game.”
Fans on the Internet have speculated that Maye was injured in the third quarter when he was hit on a play and immediately grabbed his right shoulder. Maye said after the fight that he had some bumps and bruises.
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks toward his bench during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
“Some bumps and bruises, but hey, that’s what it takes,” Maye said Sunday. “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.”
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Vrabel said concerns about Maye’s injury have likely been blown out of proportion.
“Here’s what I’m going to start saying about this radio show, it’s like the Miranda rights. There’s nothing I can say in there that can be used against me when I get back in here,” Vrabel said Tuesday, “I think everybody, including Drake, is not 100% at this part of the year, and we’re going to do everything we can to help our players be prepared and ready for this game.”
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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates with the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The Patriots need Maye to be at their best in the Super Bowl, as the Seattle Seahawks defense was the best in the NFL this season, allowing just 17.1 points per game. match. Maye, who was great in the regular season, hasn’t seen the same success in the playoffs, despite making the Super Bowl.
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 Game, in three games.
