Drake Maye admits he needed pain-killing shot for shoulder injury

New England Patriots

“I was feeling good enough to be out there. If I’m out there, I wouldn’t put the team in harm’s way to not be myself.”

By Conor Ryan

February 9, 2026 | 6:55 AM

1 minute to read

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Drake Maye was removed from the injury report in the days leading up to Super Bowl LX. 

But the Patriots QB admitted that he was far from 100 percent for Sunday’s eventual 29-13 loss to Seattle. 

Speaking after New England’s season-ending defeat, Maye acknowledged that he received a pain-killing injection to numb his right shoulder before the Patriots fell to Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. 

“My shoulder feels — um, they shot it up, so not much feeling,” Maye said. “Feels good to go. I felt alright.”

Maye initially suffered the right shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against Denver on Jan. 25. 

While scrambling for a 13-yard gain during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High, Maye was brought to the turf by Denver linebacker Talanoa Hufanga. 

Maye slammed his right shoulder in the ground and was spotted moving his shoulder and adjusting his shoulder pads after getting off the field.

Despite landing on the injury report last week as a “limited” participant, Maye took part in all of New England’s practices at Stanford University over the last few days without issue.

Be it Maye’s shoulder, a porous offensive line, or a several brutal turnovers by Maye, New England’s offense sputtered all night in the lopsided loss to Seattle.

Maye completed 27-of-43 throws for 295 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while also losing a fumble. Seattle scored 17 points off of those three turnovers. 

Despite his struggles, Maye said he wasn’t sure if the shoulder injury truly hindered him on Sunday in Santa Clara. 

“I think it’d be hard to say that,” Maye said. “I was feeling good enough to be out there. If I’m out there, I wouldn’t put the team in harm’s way to not be myself. Just didn’t make the plays tonight.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.