During a preseason game on Sunday, New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett suffered a shoulder injury early in the first quarter. Despite the injury, Coach Jerod Mayo stated that Brissett could have continued playing if it had been necessary. Mayo noted that Brissett reported feeling sore but overall okay, and that a more detailed assessment would be conducted the following day.
The injury occurred when Brissett was sacked by Washington Commanders’ KJ Henry. Henry came through unblocked and landed heavily on Brissett’s right shoulder, causing him immediate discomfort. Brissett tried to shake off the pain by completing a short pass and a deep throw, although the latter was dropped. Despite his efforts, he was pulled from the game as planned to allow rookie Drake Maye more playing time.
Maye took over as quarterback and ended the game with a solid performance, going 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed with a key 17-yard run that helped set up the team’s only touchdown. Although Maye’s performance was promising, Mayo refrained from naming him as the backup quarterback, stating that the coaching staff needed to review the game footage before making a final decision.
The Patriots’ offensive line faced several issues during the game, including eight penalties and multiple errors, which contributed to the difficulties.
The penalties, especially those related to alignment, highlighted problems with both the left and right tackles, as well as a critical blocking miscue on the play where Brissett was injured. These issues underscore the need for improvements in both protection and overall offensive execution.
As the roster cut deadline approaches, the Patriots must decide on their quarterback situation, with Brissett, Maye, rookie Joe Milton III, and third-year veteran Bailey Zappe all in contention.
Mayo has consistently backed Brissett as the starter but has acknowledged that Maye could potentially earn a significant role. Maye himself expressed confidence in his readiness for the season opener against the Bengals, showing he is prepared to step up if called upon.
