The New England Patriots looked to reach over .500 for the first time this season, as they took on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. This was the kind of game that quarterback Drake Maye could build his legacy, beating a team that's been very consistent ever since Mike Tomlin was head coach.
But during the game, Patriots fans had serious cause for concern over Maye.
In the second quarter, just before halftime, Maye took a nasty hit from Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt and linebacker Nick Herbig, causing him to fall backwards. As Maye fell down, the back of his head bounced off of the turf at Gillette Stadium.
Even though Maye took the hard hit, he remained in the game without getting checked out by medical staff and independent neurologists. Two plays later, Maye attempted a pass that was ultimately tipped into the air and allowed cornerback Brandin Echols to haul in the interception.
Drake Maye suffers concerning head injury scare vs. Steelers
As the game entered halftime, Patriots fans had to be wondering if Maye would return to the game. As it turns out, Maye warmed up before the start of the second half. After Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw an interception to Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane, Maye returned to the field.
It was not reported whether or not the Patriots cleared Maye or if he even got checked for a potential concussion. All that was known was that he emerged from the locker room in the second half.
Maye is no stranger to concussions in his young NFL career. Last year, he suffered a concussion against the New York Jets, but he was cleared for the following week's game. Then, in the team's Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Maye left the game early to get checked for a concussion following a helmet-to-helmet hit. Maye missed one series before returning for the remainder of the game.
We should find out more after the game whether he was placed in concussion protocol during halftime and if he cleared any testing.