Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye conceivably could play in Sunday’s game against the host Tennessee Titans.

Maye, who remains in concussion protocol, was expected to be a limited participant in practice for the third straight day on Friday.

“He is still in the protocol … and going through that process,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday morning.

When asked if the quarterback could be ready to play when the Patriots (2-6) face the Titans (1-6), Mayo responded with a definitive “yes.” That said, Mayo said the team has confidence in veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett if Maye isn’t cleared.

“Look, any given day, any player can just wake up with something and not be able to play,” Mayo said. “I will say this, if (Maye) can’t play, we have enough faith and confidence in Jacoby to be able to step in and help us win.”

Maye, 22, was placed in the protocol last Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the Patriots’ 25-22 win over the New York Jets.

He has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions in four games this season. He was selected by the Patriots with the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina.

–Field Level Media

Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye will not return to New England’s meeting with the visiting New York Jets on Sunday due to a head injury.

Maye was originally listed as questionable after sustaining the injury on an 18-yard scramble in the final minute of the first quarter. Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood made helmet-to-helmet contact with Maye on a hit from behind as the quarterback slid.

Maye finished the drive, but Jacoby Brissett took over under center for New England on its next possession.

Right as halftime started, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told CBS that Maye would not be coming back.

Prior to exiting, Maye completed 3 of 6 passes for 23 yards. He also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown on three carries.

The 22-year-old Maye, selected third overall by the Patriots in this year’s draft, was making his third career start on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will get his first NFL start Sunday for the New England Patriots against the visiting Houston Texans, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

After moving on from former first-round pick Mac Jones in the offseason, the Patriots selected Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.

He replaces veteran Jacoby Brissett, who has led New England to a 1-4 start to the season.

Brissett, 31, has completed just 79 of his 135 pass attempts (58.5 percent) for 696 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, averaging only 139.2 yards per game.

The Patriots’ offense has mustered just 62 points, second-worst in the NFL.

Maye, 22, played briefly in the Patriots’ 24-3 loss at the New York Jets on Sept. 19. He was 4-of-8 passing for 22 yards and sacked twice for a loss of 13.

Maye, a North Carolina product, was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first round in the 2024 draft. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) have taken hold of the starting positions with their teams.

J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) suffered a season-ending knee injury in August. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons) has yet to appear in a game.

–Field Level Media

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday that Jacob Brissett will remain the team’s starting quarterback.

Mayo said he is not considering a change to Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, after the Patriots’ third straight loss.

“Jacoby is 100 percent our starter,” Mayo said in his video conference with reporters. “He’s done a good job doing what we’ve asked. Are there a lot of plays he could do a better job? Absolutely. But I would never question his toughness, dependability and leadership style for this team. That’s what we need right now.”

The Patriots (1-3) host the Miami Dolphins in Week 5.

Brissett was 19-for-32 passing with 168 yards with a touchdown and a pick-six in the Patriots’ 30-13 loss at San Francisco on Sunday. For the season, Brissett is completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 536 yards, two TDs and the one interception.

Brissett has been sacked 15 times in four games.

“I think the hard part about it, all the fans, you in the media, they want to see the third-overall pick play. I understand the frustration from fans and [media]. What we’re doing is what we think is best. What I’m doing is what I think is best for the Patriots today and also in the future,” Mayo said on his WEEI sports radio show Monday.

–Field Level Media

Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots.

Head coach Jerod Mayo said Thursday the organization was on the same page making the decision to go with the 31-year-old with 48 career starts over rookie No. 3 pick Drake Maye.

“We have decided, I have decided Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” Mayo said Thursday. “As an organization we are 100 percent behind Jacoby. There is no, ‘You’ve got a guy right here, there’s a guy right there.’ We’re 100 percent behind Jacoby. I had an opportunity to talk to Drake separately and Jacoby together and organizationally we’re all on the same page.”

Maye was 21 of 34 for 192 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, when he totaled seven carries for 32 yards with one touchdown. Brissett was 5 of 14 for 36 yards, threw a red-zone interception and posted a QB rating of 14.6.

In discussing the potential move Wednesday, Mayo hinted that if Maye begins the season as Brissett’s backup on Sept. 8 at Cincinnati, nothing is set in stone and performance would be a factor moving forward.

“I would say one thing: I think it’s important to remember, what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line,” Mayo said.

–Field Level Media

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start the Patriots’ preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday before being replaced by rookie Drake Maye, New England first-year head coach Jerod Mayo announced.

Mayo also noted on Friday that quarterbacks Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe will draw into the game as well.

“Jacoby is going to start the game off,” Mayo told reporters. “Drake will play as well. Joe will play as well. Now, you guys can sleep. Bailey will play. We do have some players dealing with small things that probably won’t play and get ready for the regular season — some of our proven players.”

Mayo has yet to announce which quarterback will start the Patriots’ season opener against the host Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8.

Brissett, 31, is in his ninth NFL season and second go-round with the Patriots after stops in Indianapolis, Miami, Cleveland and Washington. He has appeared in 79 games and is 18-30 as a starter, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 10,574 yards with 51 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Maye, who turns 22 next week, was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft in April. He was a two-year starter at North Carolina.

–Field Level Media