Update 1/30/2026: Illness keeping Drake Maye out of Patriots practice on Friday
After not being spotted during the early portion of Patriots practice on Friday, Mike Vrabel confirmed that quarterback Drake Maye indeed did not participate in the session. According to New England’s head coach, there was a reason behind his absence not tied to his already existing shoulder injury.
“He did not practice, no,” Vrabel said during a press conference on Friday. “It was illness and shoulder.”
Vrabel went on to say that Maye did come to Gillette Stadium and participated in meetings. He added that Maye, had he not fallen ill, would have practiced despite the shoulder ailment.
The 23-year-old was a limited participant on Thursday. According to Vrabel, his right throwing shoulder responded “favorably” to the workload Maye received.
Original story 1/30/2026: Patriots QB Drake Maye not spotted at Friday practice
The New England Patriots returned to the WIN Waste Innovations Field House on Friday for their second practice of the week, but one notable player was not spotted: quarterback Drake Maye was a no-show during the 10-minute media window at the start of the session.
Maye suffered a shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos and was listed as a limited participant on the injury report released following Thursday’s session.
Maye’s absence adds another chapter to the story of his right shoulder injury. While the sophomore quarterback was on the field for all 64 offensive snaps against the Broncos and did not show any obvious limitations during the Patriots’ 10-7 win, he was clearly dealing with what he referred to as “bumps and bruises” after the game.
Nonetheless, neither he nor head coach Mike Vrabel sounded overly concerned when talking to the media this week.
“I think it’s just been one of those things where it’s been a long season and sometimes things show up,” Maye said on Thursday. “I’ll do whatever I can to feel 100%, and I’m sure I’ll get if not there, as close as you can — 99, or do whatever I can to make sure I’m throwing and do whatever. I can to help the team win.”
Besides the 23-year-old, offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. and linebackers Robert Spillane and Harold Landry were also absent during the early portion of Friday’s practice. The Patriots will release an injury report in the afternoon, their last before flying to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
