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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots held their first practice Thursday leading up to Super Bowl LX, and anything relating to quarterback Drake Maye‘s injured right throwing shoulder was kept out of view of reporters.
Maye and fellow quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Tommy DeVito didn’t throw the football in the portions of practice open to media members. That was a change in routine for the team from most Thursday practices during the season.
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Maye was officially listed as limited on Wednesday and Thursday after landing on his right shoulder while being tackled by Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga on a 13-yard run in the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game. The limited designation means he took at least one less repetition than he normally would as the starter, but it doesn’t specify how many.
Asked his level of concern regarding Maye’s health, head coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday: “Not much. I try not to have a whole lot of concern. I just want to try to prepare the football team and make sure that everybody is ready and we all have a plan. Not to surprise anybody…”
Maye, who previously downplayed any injury concerns, noted the extra week to prepare for Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 8 as a good stretch to get healthy. He echoed his coach’s sentiments after Thursday’s practice.
“I’m feeling good. Got out there, moving around a good bit today. Went through some jog-through, so feeling good,” he said.
Thursday’s practice, which was focused on the first- and second-down plan and held in the team’s indoor facility, seemingly went off without a hitch for the NFL MVP candidate.
“I’m looking forward to being ready to go,” Maye said. “This is the game you dream of playing — so I’m looking forward to getting out there and getting a chance to play in the Super Bowl.”
Asked whether his ability to throw in the Super Bowl will be inhibited due to the injury, Maye said: “No, I don’t think so. That’s why you spend time, that’s why you have trainers. I think it’s just been one of those things, where it’s a long season and sometimes things show up.
“I’m going to do whatever I can to feel 100%. I’m sure I’ll get, if not there, as close as you can — 99. I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure I’m throwing and whatever I can to help the team win.”
On another injury note, starting linebacker and primary signal-caller Robert Spillane did not practice Thursday due to an ankle injury that knocked him out of the AFC Championship Game late in the first quarter.
Also, Vrabel announced that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams — who has focused on his recovery after a prostate cancer diagnosis during the 2025 season — will travel with the team to Super Bowl LX.
“He’s doing well. He’s excited about traveling with us, and we’re excited about having him,” Vrabel said
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has served as the primary defensive playcaller during Williams’ absence this season, although Williams, 51, has still been around the team at times.
Players were pleased to learn Williams would be with them in Santa Clara, California.
“It means a lot. Battling what we had to battle through, we’re glad he’s feeling way better,” cornerback and captain Marcus Jones said. “He had a lot of hard work and dedication when it came down to this defense, from the beginning. He’s been involved when he didn’t have to be.”
“We have a lot of love and respect for Coach T,” receiver Stefon Diggs added. “His strength is admirable, everything he’s been through. When we see him around the building, everyone is smiling at him, hollering at him. This team has been through a lot; it just means a lot to us to see guys that care about this game, love this game and want to be around the guys they care about. It’s another ‘road warrior.'”
