In his weekly press conference, the Patriots coach revealed that Maye was in the NFL concussion protocol and would practice on a limited basis and throw some passes. Later, when asked if the rookie quarterback could practice for longer than 30 minutes, Mayo said, “No.”
That bit of information is important.
Under the NFL’s concussion protocol, players must pass through five phases before returning to play. When Mayo said that Maye can practice, but it can’t be longer than 30 minutes, it meant the quarterback has already passed the first two phases of the protocol.
Phase 3 of the protocol is where players can do football-specific exercises.
It reads, in the play return to play protocol, as the following:
“The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are increased and may mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is allowed to practice with the team in sport-specific exercise for 30 minutes or less with ongoing and careful monitoring.”
That fits into what Mayo said when he noted that Maye could practice and throw passes, but it wouldn’t be longer than 30 minutes.
So what does this mean for Maye and Sunday’s game in Tennessee?
At this point, there’s still a glimmer of hope that the Patriots have their rookie quarterback against the Titans. At this point, Maye has three more steps in the NFL’s protocol before he can return to practice and a game.
After Wednesday, Maye can move on to Phase 4 – if he doesn’t show any signs of a concussion. If that happens, he moves on to non-contact training drills.
Here’s what that means:
“The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sports-specific exercise, and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g. throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of Phase Four with the results interpreted as back to baseline.”
If Maye enters Phase 4 on Thursday and still shows no signs of a concussion, he’ll move on to the final phase on Friday.
Phase 5 is full football activity and independent medical clearance. The rule reads as follows:
“Upon clearance by the Club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his Club. If the INC concurs with the Club physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may participate in his Club’s next practice or game.”
If Maye entered Wednesday in Phase 3, he’d have to get through Phase 4 and Phase 5 over the next three days before Sunday’s matchup.
If he does, the Patriots will likely have their rookie quarterback in Tennessee. If he has a setback, Jacoby Brissett will start against the Titans.
