NFL quarterback could return this weekend – despite getting concussed in last Sunday’s game

Despite taking a rough hit on Sunday that knocked him out of a game against the New York Jets, one rookie quarterback is looking to make a return for this weekend’s game.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was expected to be a limited participant in practice for the third straight day.

However, it’s still conceivable that he could play in this Sunday’s upcoming contest against the Tennessee Titans. 

‘He is still in the protocol … and going through that process,’ Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday morning.

When asked if the quarterback could be ready to play when the Patriots (2-6) face the Titans (1-6), Mayo responded with a definitive ‘yes.’ 

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is in concussion protocol, but could return for Sunday

At the same time, Mayo said that the team is confident in the abilities of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett – who went 1-4 as the starting signal caller for the Patriots in the first five games of the season.

‘Look, any given day, any player can just wake up with something and not be able to play,’ Mayo said. ‘I will say this, if (Maye) can’t play, we have enough faith and confidence in Jacoby to be able to step in and help us win.’

Maye went into the protocol on Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in New England’s 25-22 win over the Jets.

Across four games this season, Maye – the 22-year-old rookie out of the University of North Carolina – has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Maye, 22, was placed in the protocol last Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the Patriots’ 25-22 win over the New York Jets.