Drake Maye injury update: Patriots QB taken to locker room after brutal hit to the head from Chargers defender

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye exited Saturday’s game against the Chargers after a hard hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. He was taken to the locker room but has been cleared to return to the game, according to Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo.

“Yeah, he’s going back in. He’s been cleared, so look forward to getting him back on the field,” Mayo said in an interview during the broadcast.

You can see the hit Drake Maye took below. Thankfully, it seems as though he is OK.

Drake Maye took a massive helmet-to-helmet hit on the opening drive and headed to the blue medical tent.pic.twitter.com/N8ISoBAJlj

— Carlos Talks Pats (@LosTalksPats) December 28, 2024

Drake Maye left the game early in the first quarter. He stayed down for a few seconds after the hit before getting to his feet and eventually heading to the medical tent. He then left the medical tent for the locker room.

After getting checked out in the locker room, Drake Maye was cleared to return. Mayo discussed how getting Maye back in the game will help the offense.

“It gives us a guy that can get outside of the pocket and put a lot of stress on these guys as they sit in zone,” Mayo said.

Patriots backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett filled in for one series before Maye returned to the game. New England went three-and-out and Brissett’s only attempt was incomplete.

Drake Maye has had a strong rookie season for the Patriots. The former North Carolina star entered Saturday’s matchup with 2,159 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 389 yards and two scores.

New England is 3-12 on the season, so the Patriots aren’t fighting for a playoff spot on Saturday. It’s clear that the Patriots must feel like he is good to go or he would not be back out on the field.

Drake Maye was selected by the New England Patriots with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Maye tallied 3,608 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and another nine scores in the ground game in 2023. His 63 completions on throws at least 15 yards downfield ranked second in the FBS.

For his efforts, he was named an All-ACC Second Team member and a Manning Award finalist. Maye’s redshirt freshman season was even more impressive. Maye exploded onto the scene with 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, while rushing for 698 yards and seven TDs.