The New England Patriots’ international tour ended in disappointment, marked by a 35-10 defeat to the Detroit Lions in Munich. The game took a critical turn in the first quarter when quarterback Drake Maye suffered an ankle injury after being sacked by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Maye did not return to the field, forcing the Patriots to rely on their backup while the Lions capitalized on the momentum shift to secure the victory.
Patriots QB exits early against Lions; further tests scheduled upon return
Head coach Mike Vrabel provided a cautious update to the press, confirming that Maye is expected to undergo further diagnostic tests on his ankle once the team returns from Germany. Vrabel emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that Maye was unable to continue playing. “He couldn’t function, couldn’t play, couldn’t do whatever he needed to do to play quarterback, to protect himself, to execute or function at that level,” Vrabel stated, explaining the immediate decision to withhold the starter for the remainder of the contest.
Before exiting the game, Maye completed three of his four passes for 48 yards. The injury occurred during a high-impact play that also saw Hutchinson injure his knee while celebrating the sack. With the Patriots now facing a potential gap at the quarterback position, the results of the upcoming medical evaluations will be pivotal in determining Maye’s availability for the remainder of the preseason and his role in the upcoming regular season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
