Drake Maye concussion protocol: Rookie QB to be limited in practice

FOXBORO — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye will be limited and won’t practice longer than 30 minutes Wednesday as he progresses through the NFL’s concussion protocol, head coach Jerod Mayo announced Wednesday.

Mayo’s comments indicate that Maye is in Phase 3 of the protocol. Maye suffered a concussion in the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the Jets.

Mayo said the Patriots would be confident in Maye’s ability to operate if the rookie is cleared by the league before Sunday’s game against the Titans. The head coach would not commit to starting Maye if he’s cleared by Week 9.

If Maye is not cleared by Sunday, then the Patriots would not make a move at quarterback. Rookie Joe Milton III would serve as Jacoby Brissett’s backup.

Here’s the NFL’s concussion protocol phases:

Phase 1: Symptom limited activity

“The player is prescribed rest, limiting or, if necessary, avoiding activities (both physical and cognitive) which increase or aggravate symptoms. Under athletic training staff supervision, limited stretching and balance training can be introduced, progressing to light aerobic exercise, all as tolerated.”

Phase 2: Aerobic exercise

“Under direct oversight of the team’s medical staff, the player should begin graduated cardiovascular exercise and may also engage in dynamic stretching and balance training. Neurocognitive and balance testing can be administered after completion of Phase Two and the results should be interpreted as back to baseline.”

Phase 3: Football-specific exercise

“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.”

Phase 4: Club-based non-contact training

“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.”

Phase 5: Full football activity

“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.”