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It appears that New England Patriots star quarterback Drake Maye 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 Internet doctors speculating about Maye’s injury, and Vrabel did not allay the concerns of Patriots nation with his response.
“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. January 25, 2026. (Ron Chenoy/Image Images)
Vrabel was then asked if he thought Maye was healthy enough to play at a high level, and the head coach continued without directly answering the question.
“I imagine we’ll look at the injury report and every time we have to turn it in, we’ll turn it in. But no one is 100%. This will be our 21st game.”
Fans on the Internet have speculated that Maye was injured in the third quarter when he was hit in a fight and immediately grabbed his right shoulder. Maye said after the game 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 fighting through things and I think at the same time the best thing about this is that we have another chance to do it. Another chance I have to bounce back.”
Vrabel, in a news conference Tuesday, said concern about Maye’s injury has likely been overblown.
“This is what I’m going to start saying on this radio show, this is like Miranda Rights. There’s nothing I can say there that can be used against me when I get back here,” Vrabel said Tuesday, “I think everyone, 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 will need Maye to be at his 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. Maye, who was fantastic in the regular season, hasn’t had the same success in the playoffs, despite reaching 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 a touchdown, the only one the Patriots scored in the AFC Championship Game, in three games.
