NFL quarterback could return this weekend – despite getting concussed in last Sunday’s game

Despite taking a big hit on Sunday that knocked him out of a game against the New York Jets, a rookie quarterback is looking to make a return for this weekend’s game.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was expected to be a limited participant in practice for the third straight day.

However, it is still conceivable that he could play in Sunday’s upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans.

“He’s still in protocol … going through that process,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said Friday morning.

When asked if the quarterback could be ready to play when the Patriots (2-6) face the Titans (1-6), Mayo answered with a definitive “yes.”

At the same time, Mayo said the team is confident in the abilities of veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who went 1-4 in the first five games of the season as the starting signal-caller for the Patriots.

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

Maye went against protocol on Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in New England’s 25-22 win over the Jets.

Through four games this season, Maye – the 22-year-old rookie from the University of North Carolina – has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions.

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