By R.L. Bynum
When Drake Maye scored his first professional touchdown on a four-yard run in Thursday night’s exhibition game, he casually tossed the ball in the air just after entering the end zone and was quickly mobbed by teammates.
No drama. No wild celebration by the rookie from North Carolina.
“I probably should have thought of one,” Maye said after being told that starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett mused that he had to get a better touchdown celebration. “I was kind of thinking about the finger roll, but just happy to get in the end zone.”
After getting only six snaps in New England’s first exhibition game, Maye played two quarters. He looked sharp playing with reserves in the second quarter, going through progressions well and dumping the ball off for short passes when needed. After generating scores on both second-quarter possessions, Maye had a tougher time with his two third-quarter drives.
“It was fun to get out there,” Maye said. “Some things I can clean up. Had some good things; had some bad plays. A dropped snap is inexcusable for me. Other than that, probably sometimes I’m scrambling, when I can probably sit in there and hang on and try to make a throw. So, definitely a lot of things learn. Good to get out there and get some tape to learn from.”
New England led by seven when Maye left the game at the end of the third quarter, giving way to Joe Milton III. But the Eagles took the lead in the fourth quarter and won 14–13.
He gave the Pats a spark after starter Jacoby Brissett, a former N.C. State quarterback, was only 3 of 7 for 17 yards with an interception while playing the entire first quarter and not producing any points.
Maye, who got hit in the helmet on one second-quarter play that drew a roughing-the-passer penalty, was 7 of 11 for 47 yards and had four carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots got a field goal on his first drive.
Maye was back out there for the second half but fumbled the snap for a five-yard loss on the first play of a drive that lasted only three plays. He ran for five yards on that drive and nearly connected on a deep pass to second-string wide receiver Javon Baker, but it went off Baker’s fingertips.
He had two incomplete passes and got sacked for an eight-yard loss on his final possession.
Here’s a rundown of Maye’s four drives:
First possession (at the start of the second quarter)
1st & 10 at NE 29 — Handoff to Antonio Gibson (second-string running back) up the middle to NE 33 for 4 yards
2nd & 1 at NE 28 (after five-yard false-start penalty on lineman) — Scrambles right end to NE 34 for 6 yards
3rd & 5 at NE 34 — Short pass up the middle to Javon Baker (second-string wide receiver) for 12 yards; first down
1st & 10 at NE 46 — Short pass to left complete to Mitchell Wilcox (third-string tight end) for 4 yards
2nd & 8 at PHI 33 (after roughing-the-passer penalty) — Handoff to Gibson off left guard, no gain
3rd & 8 at PHI 33 — Incomplete pass deep down the left sideline intended for Baker
4th & 8 at PHI 33 — Joey Slye 51-yard field goal; New England 3, Philadelphia 3
Second possession (began with 5:55 left in first half)
1st & 10 at PHI 49 — Short pass to right to Ja’Lynn Polk (first-string wide receiver) for six yards
2nd & 4 at PHI 43 — Handoff to Kevin Harris (third-string running back) for 14 yards
1st & 10 at PHI 29 — Handoff to Harris for 1-yard loss
2nd & 11 at PHI 30 — Incomplete pass intended for Baker
3rd & 11 at PHI 30 — Short pass to the left to JaMycal Hasty (fourth-string running back) for 23 yards
1st & goal at PHI 7 — Handoff to Hasty, run up the middle for 4 yards
2nd & goal at PHI 3 — Handoff to Hasty, run up the middle for a 1-yard loss
3rd & goal at PHI 4 — Run off right tackle for four-yard touchdown run
Chad Ryland converts PAT; New England 10, Philadelphia 3
Third possession (at the start of the second half)
1st & 10 at NE 37 — Fumbles snap, recovered by Hasty; five-yard loss
2nd & 11 at NE 32 — Scrambles off right guard for a five-yard gain
3rd & 10 at NE 37 — Deep pass off the fingertips of Baker
4th & 10 at NE 37 — Bryce Baringer 48-yard punt
Fourth possession (began with 5:02 left in third quarter)
1st & 10 at NE 32 — Short incomplete pass to the left, intended for Jaheim Bell (fourth-string tight end)
2nd & 10 at NE 32 — Handoff to Harris, runs up middle for three yards
3rd & 10 at NE 35 — Incomplete short pass to the right, intended for Baker
1st & 10 at 50 (after defensive pass interference) — Threw the ball away at the left sideline
2nd & 10 at 50 — Short pass to Polk for no gain
3rd & 10 at 50 — Sacked for eight-yard loss
4th & 18 at NE 42 — Baringer 34-yard punt
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —10 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Tennessee
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 11 games, 3 starts, 78 carries, 286 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 28 catches on 32 targets, 232 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday at Los Angeles Rams
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 9 starts, 52 catches, 471 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 rush, 3 yards,;5 punt returns, 55 yards; 1 tackle; 47 offensive snaps (78%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday at Houston
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 82 tackles, 57 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday at Jacksonville
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — No. 2 running back
Season statistics — 8 games, 5 starts, 110 carries, 516 yards (54 longest), 4.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 24 catches, 161 yards (22 longest), 6.7 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Houston Texans, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday at Denver
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 16 games, 1 tackle; 698 offensive snaps, 63 special-teams snaps
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Carolina
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Baltimore
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 11 starts, 43 catches, 519 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Miami
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Washington
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 17 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Reams, ESPN
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New Orleans
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 321 of 453, 3,947 (72 longest, 8.7 average), 70.9%, 25 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 46 sacks (200 yards in losses, 108.5 passer rating; 95 carries, 387 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Miami
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday at Atlanta
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New York Jets
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 9 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 8 p.m. Saturday at Green Bay, Peacock
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 17 — Started; 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 touchdown (4-yard run, 12:06, 2nd quarter); 0 catches on 2 targets; hurt late in second quarter; 11.4 fantasy points
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —10 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Tennessee
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 11 games, 3 starts, 78 carries, 286 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 28 catches on 32 targets, 232 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday at Los Angeles Rams
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 9 starts, 52 catches, 471 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 rush, 3 yards,;5 punt returns, 55 yards; 1 tackle; 47 offensive snaps (78%)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday at Houston
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 82 tackles, 57 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday at Jacksonville
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — No. 2 running back
Season statistics — 8 games, 5 starts, 110 carries, 516 yards (54 longest), 4.7 average, 3 touchdowns; 24 catches, 161 yards (22 longest), 6.7 average, 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Houston Texans, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday at Denver
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 16 games, 1 tackle; 698 offensive snaps, 63 special-teams snaps
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Carolina
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Baltimore
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 11 starts, 43 catches, 519 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Miami
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Washington
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 17 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Reams, ESPN
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New Orleans
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 321 of 453, 3,947 (72 longest, 8.7 average), 70.9%, 25 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 46 sacks (200 yards in losses, 108.5 passer rating; 95 carries, 387 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Miami
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Week 18 — Sunday at Atlanta
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Week 18 — Sunday vs. New York Jets
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 9 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 17 — 8 p.m. Saturday at Green Bay, Peacock
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 17 — Started; 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 touchdown (4-yard run, 12:06, 2nd quarter); 0 catches on 2 targets; hurt late in second quarter; 11.4 fantasy points
Week 18 — Sunday vs. Indianapolis
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @Patriots
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