Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye was eventually placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but he initially stayed in Sunday’s win over the Jets after taking a shot to the head from linebacker Jamien Sherwood.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo provided some clarity on why Maye was evaluated first in the team’s blue pop-up medical tent and then in the locker room.
“It was called down from the league. They wanted to do further evaluation,” Mayo said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “When I went in there at halftime, (Maye) wanted to go back out there, but obviously he didn’t pass the test.
“And not going to get too far into that, but, at the same time, he went out there and threw a couple good balls after, I guess, supposedly put him in the protocol.”
Maye was slow to get up after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Sherwood while sliding at the tail end of an 18-yard scramble. The Patriots ran one more play before the quarter ended.
After the break at the end of the quarter, Maye stayed on the field for three more plays — a handoff, a sack and an incomplete pass that wide receiver Kayshon Boutte dropped — before the Patriots were forced to punt.
When the Patriots went back to the sideline, Maye went into the medical tent with the sideline unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant before exiting and walking to the locker room.
Maye didn’t emerge from the locker room and was ruled out of the game after halftime.
Mayo said on WEEI that he’s not sure when Maye will return.
The rookie QB must follow the NFL’s return-to-participation protocol.
Phase 1: Symptom limited activity
“The player is prescribed rest, limiting or, if necessary, avoiding activities (both physical and cognitive) which increase or aggravate symptoms. Under athletic training staff supervision, limited stretching and balance training can be introduced, progressing to light aerobic exercise, all as tolerated.”
Phase 2: Aerobic exercise
“Under direct oversight of the team’s medical staff, the player should begin graduated cardiovascular exercise and may also engage in dynamic stretching and balance training. Neurocognitive and balance testing can be administered after completion of Phase Two and the results should be interpreted as back to baseline.”
Phase 3: Football-specific exercise
“The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are increased and may mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is allowed to practice with the team in sport-specific exercise for 30 minutes or less with ongoing and careful monitoring.”
Phase 4: Club-based non-contact training
“The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sports-specific exercise, and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g.throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of Phase Four with the results interpreted as back to baseline.”
Phase 5: Full football activity
“Upon clearance by the Club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his Club. If the INC concurs with the Club physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may participate in his Club’s next practice or game.”
If Maye can’t pass through the NFL’s concussion protocol by Sunday, then Jacoby Brissett will start against the Titans.