Several new photos of Drake Maye have provided an update on the shoulder injury that threatens to take the Patriots quarterback out of Super Bowl LX. Not only was the 23-year-old listed as only having “limited” participation during practice on Wednesday, January 28, but he was also out of Friday’s practice due to a right shoulder injury and illness. This sparked concerns that Maye would not be able to play or would be severely hindered in the upcoming Super Bowl on February 8 against the Seattle Seahawks. However, new photos have some good news on the quarterback’s recovery.
Drake Maye seen holding bags with right arm before Super Bowl LX
Quarterback Drake Maye was photographed several times holding luggage with his right hand as he arrived with his team at San Jose Mineta International Airport on Sunday, February 1. Given that he was out with a right shoulder injury last week, this bodes well for his participation in Super Bowl Sunday in Santa Clara, California.
The photos show him descending the boarding stairs from the team’s plane while grasping a black duffel bag with his right arm while holding a backpack dangling from his left shoulder. Maye didn’t seem to have any issue carrying the bag across the runway.
Rumors that Maye had injured his shoulder began circulating in late January, with one former NFL doctor believing that he had sustained some kind of injury to his right shoulder after being tackled by Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga in the third quarter of the game. The quarterback was seen grabbing his shoulder a few times and showing some discomfort during several plays afterwards. Meanwhile, another NFL injury expert, Jesse Morse, thought that he had a minor sprain or labral tear that wasn’t too serious.
Head coach Mike Vrabel, when asked about the rumor, downplayed the supposed injury by saying that everyone on the team wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t until the injury report last week stating that Maye had missed practice with a right shoulder injury that the rumors became official.
During a press conference on Friday from the team’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), Vrabel explained that Maye wasn’t the only Patriots team member that was dealing with an illness that was going around.
“We’ve had a lot of guys over the last month, six weeks here, with illness,” the head coach shared. “So, again, just trying to do what’s best for the player and the team. I’m trying to take care of the guys, don’t spread anything. Again, we’ve worked through that here for the past six weeks.”
That said, his illness was not as pressing as his shoulder injury, though Maye sounded confident that he would be able to recover in time for the Super Bowl.
“I’m feeling good,” he said on Tuesday, January 27, to sports radio WEEI. “Going to get some extra rest. I really don’t think it was from the game, but just the build-up from throwing. This is what, including training camp, 30 weeks of straight of throwing, four days a week. It can add up. I got some extra rest, feeling good, and ready to go for the Super Bowl.”
The quarterback was later seen at the Patriots send-off rally at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, February 1. Maye stood on stage thanking fans and sharing his appreciate for their support.
“First off, man, I just want to thank you guys,” he said to the Patriots crowd (via X). “You guys have been great all season. Man, wouldn’t be here without you guys. What a journey, and we still got work left to do. Shout out to these guys, love you guys. Celebrate when we get back. Go Pats, baby.”
