In a tense matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye faced a significant scare when he was evaluated for a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit during the first quarter. The incident occurred while Maye was scrambling near the sideline on a critical third down play, where he was struck by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. The young quarterback remained on the ground for several moments, raising concerns among teammates and fans alike.

After being helped up, Maye showed resilience by jogging off the field under his own power and briefly sitting on the bench. However, the situation prompted the Patriots to bring in backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the subsequent series, which unfortunately ended in a punt. Following a thorough evaluation in the medical tent and locker room, Maye was cleared to return to action, rejoining his team for the third series of the game early in the second quarter.

This is not the first time Maye has faced injury concerns this season; he was previously knocked out of a game during Week 8 against the New York Jets due to a blow to the back of his head. As the game progressed, the Chargers maintained a lead of 10-0, putting additional pressure on the Patriots and their rookie quarterback to perform under challenging circumstances.