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Brissett sustains shoulder injury as Maye shines in Patriots' pre-season defeat against Commanders
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    Brissett sustains shoulder injury as Maye shines in Patriots’ pre-season defeat against Commanders

    LANDOVER, Md. — Drake Maye completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown for New England in the Patriots’ 20-10 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night in the pre-season finale.

    Maye, the rookie from North Carolina battling Jacoby Brissett for the starting job, made a good case, while the offensive line made it clear why first-year coach Jerod Mayo might not want to throw him in right away.

    Brissett started the first series, and was sacked hard by defensive lineman K.J. Henry. Brissett finished the series, but left after that and the Patriots listed him as having a right shoulder injury.

    Mayo said that Brissett would have been able to continue playing had it been a regular-season game, and he will be evaluated again Monday.

    Maye then finished the first half, throwing an 18-yard scoring pass to Kevin Harris. The Patriots finished the pre-season 1-2.

    Mayo seemed to tip his hand on the upcoming quarterback decision when asked if he would allow Maye to back up Brissett if Brissett wins the starting job.

    “I would like to sit here and say 100%, he’s our second-best quarterback on our roster right now,” Mayo said about Maye. “I’m not sure until I watch the film.”

    Maye got little help from his offensive line, which was flagged eight times in the first half for false start, holding or illegal formation. At one point, Maye’s shoe flew off because he was stepped on so hard by left guard Sidy Sow. Brissett’s injury came on a play where two blockers ran into each other.

    That could influence Mayo’s decision, particularly given that Washington did not play any of its starters on either side of the ball. Maye said he’s up for a Week 1 start if called upon.

    “I think I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me,” said Maye, the No. 3 overall draft pick.

    Mayo said he was unhappy with the “undisciplined football” the line played, and added that the team will be aggressive in improving over the next week.

    “Our job is to always look for better players,” Mayo said. “We’ll be very active on the waiver wire. There will be some good football players out there on the street, and we’ll try to get this team better.”

    Commanders coach Dan Quinn, meanwhile, was content to run out the clock on the pre-season, with quarterback Jayden Daniels among the 34 players sitting out Sunday.

    Martavis Bryant caught a touchdown pass with 3:06 left to seal the victory for the Commanders (1-2).

    D-line intrigue

    The Commanders will have tough decisions to make at defensive tackle, particularly after a pair of strong performances against the Patriots.

    Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will be the starters, and rookie Johnny Newton is assured of a spot. On Sunday night, Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway both made strong final statements in the push to make the 53-man roster when it is announced on Tuesday.

    Getting their kicks

    New England kicker Joey Slye returned to Washington, where he played last year, and was allowed to try a 64-yard field goal just before halftime, which fell short, and a 60-yarder at the end of the game, which he missed left.

    Sunday marked the first pre-season action for Washington kicker Cade York, who was acquired in a trade with Cleveland earlier in the week. York was 2-for-2, from 34 and 33 yards.

    Up next

    Patriots: Open the regular season at Cincinnati on Sept. 8,

    Commanders: Open the regular season at Tampa Bay on Sept. 8.

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    In a preseason matchup between the New England Patriots and the Washington Commanders, quarterback Jacoby Brissett sustained a shoulder injury that has raised concerns for the Patriots’ coaching staff and fans alike. Meanwhile, safety Marcus Maye shined for the Commanders, making key plays that helped secure their victory.

    Brissett, who was filling in for starting quarterback Mac Jones, was hit hard by a Commanders defender in the first quarter of the game. He immediately grabbed his shoulder in pain and was taken out of the game for further evaluation. The severity of Brissett’s injury is still unknown, but any injury to a key player like a quarterback can have significant implications for a team’s season.

    In Brissett’s absence, rookie quarterback Rhamondre Stevenson stepped in to lead the Patriots’ offense. While he showed flashes of potential, he also struggled at times, throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown by the Commanders’ defense. This highlights the importance of having a reliable backup quarterback in the NFL, as injuries can happen at any moment.

    On the other side of the ball, Marcus Maye had a standout performance for the Commanders. The safety made several key plays, including an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Maye’s performance showcased his playmaking ability and solidified his role as a key player on the Commanders’ defense.

    Overall, the preseason game between the Patriots and Commanders was a mixed bag for both teams. While the Patriots will be hoping for good news regarding Brissett’s injury, the Commanders can take away some positives from Maye’s strong showing. As the regular season approaches, both teams will need to address any weaknesses exposed in this game and continue to work towards their goals for the upcoming season.