Drake Maye's Shoulder Injury and Painkiller Injection Come to Light After Super Bowl Defeat
The New England Patriots' final injury report ahead of Super Bowl LX indicated that quarterback Drake Maye was dealing with a shoulder issue. Despite this, he participated fully in practices throughout the week and received medical clearance to start against the Seattle Seahawks on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Post-Game Revelation of Pain Management
Following the Patriots' 29-13 loss to the Seahawks, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, Maye addressed his shoulder condition at the emotional post-game press conference. He stated, "I shot it up, so not much feeling. It was good to go, and it felt all right." This admission was later corroborated by ESPN reporter Mike Reiss, who confirmed that Maye had received a pain-killing injection for his injured right shoulder prior to Sunday night's championship game.
Impact on Performance in Super Bowl LX
The shoulder injury appears to have significantly affected Maye's performance during the game. He committed three critical turnovers:
- A strip sack in the third quarter that Seattle converted into a touchdown, extending their lead to 19-0.
- Two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one of which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by Seattle linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
Statistically, the second-year quarterback completed 27 of 43 passes for 295 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble, resulting in three total giveaways. Maye was sacked six times, and the Patriots' offensive line allowed 11 quarterback hits throughout the contest.
Background of the Injury and Pre-Game Optimism
The 23-year-old signal-caller originally sustained a severe shoulder injury during the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos. This injury limited the mobility and strength of his right throwing shoulder. In the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, Maye progressed from limited participation to full practice sessions.
At the Super Bowl opening night media event, Maye expressed confidence, telling reporters, "I feel good. I'll be just fine. I threw a good bit. I threw as much as I would at a normal practice." Both he and the team downplayed the severity of the injury during the extensive pre-game buildup.
Questions Raised and Future Medical Steps
Stephen Douglas of ClutchPoints highlighted that the need for a pre-game injection raises serious questions about the true extent of Maye's injury. The discrepancy between the public portrayal of his health and the last-minute medical intervention has sparked scrutiny.
The next phase involves consulting with medical specialists to assess whether surgical intervention will be necessary for his recovery. This evaluation will be crucial for determining his availability and effectiveness in the upcoming NFL season.
