Drake Maye is expected to undergo additional tests on his injured ankle when the New England Patriots return from Germany, leaving his availability unsettled as the team enters its bye week.
Coach Mike Vrabel said after Sunday’s 35-10 loss to the Detroit Lions that more evaluation was needed. Maye left during New England’s opening possession in Munich and was ruled out for the rest of the game, with Tommy DeVito taking over at quarterback.
Patriots QB Drake Maye is expected to undergo additional tests on his ankle when the team returns to New England from Germany, per Mike Vrabel.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2026
The Patriots do not play again until Nov. 29, when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers. That gives them two weeks between games, but Vrabel’s initial update did not establish whether Maye would be ready by then.
Asked why Maye could not return against Detroit, Vrabel described limitations that went beyond his ability to throw the ball.
Maye “couldn’t play, couldn’t run, couldn’t do whatever he needed to do to play quarterback, to protect himself,” Vrabel said.
Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on what went into ruling out QB Drake Maye:
"That he couldn't couldn't function, couldn't play, couldn't run, couldn't do whatever he needed to do to play quarterback, to protect himself, to execute or function at that level."
Asked if it's a high ankle…
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 15, 2026
Maye was injured when Aidan Hutchinson sacked him on third-and-goal in the first quarter. New England finished the possession with a 33-yard field goal, but its starting quarterback did not take another snap. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 48 yards and rushed once for 11 yards.
The ankle injury was a new issue during the game. Maye had been listed with a right shoulder injury during the practice week, participated fully all three days and entered Sunday without a game designation.
Tommy DeVito takes over as Patriots struggle to move the ball
DeVito finished 12 of 24 for 81 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Detroit sacked him four times, and New England finished with 151 total yards.
His touchdown pass came in the fourth quarter, when he found Lan Larison from 10 yards out to finish an 87-yard drive. It was New England’s only touchdown, cutting Detroit’s lead to 28-10 before the Lions scored again.
The result dropped the Patriots to 5-5 and sent them into their break with consecutive losses. They had fallen 45-27 to the Green Bay Packers a week earlier.
DeVito is the immediate replacement if Maye remains unavailable. Behren Morton was listed as New England’s inactive third quarterback against Detroit.
Patriots await a diagnosis before setting Maye’s next step
The bye gives New England time to evaluate Maye before its next game, but it does not answer the central question of how serious the injury is. The initial postgame update provided no confirmed recovery timetable.
The Chargers game begins a stretch that also includes a home matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 6 and a Thursday night visit from the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 10. For now, the Patriots’ next decision at quarterback depends on what the additional testing shows.
