Drake Maye injury: Patriots QB, dealing with shoulder issue, misses practice due to illness, per Mike Vrabel

The New England Patriots will make their 10th Super Bowl appearance this century when they take on the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 8, but some concern lingers among Patriots fans about the status of starting quarterback Drake Maye after he injured his shoulder in the AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos. 

Maye didn't practice Friday after being listed as limited Thursday with a right shoulder injury. Maye is also dealing with an illness, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Friday.

"He would've practiced today if not for the illness," Vrabel told reporters. 

When asked about Maye's shoulder on Thursday, Vrabel said he did not have much concern. 

"Not much," he said. "I try not to have a whole lot of concern. I just want to try to prepare the football team, make sure that everybody's ready, that we all have a plan, not to surprise anybody and make sure that our guys are focusing on the first and second down plan."

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Maye also downplayed concerns on Thursday.

"Yeah, I feel good," Maye said. "Got out there, moved around a good bit today, and went in to do some jog-throughs, so, feeling good. I think it's just been one of those things where it's a long season. Sometimes, things show up. I'll do whatever I can to, you know, feel 100% and I'm sure I'll get if not there as close as I can or 99 [percent] or do whatever I can to make sure, I'm throwing and, like I said, do whatever I can to help the team win."

Vrabel first addressed his quarterback's health during his appearance on WEEI on Tuesday.

"There's not a player on our team that's 100% healthy," Vrabel said. "I would imagine we'll go through the injury report, and whenever we have to turn that in, we'll turn it in. But nobody's 100%. This will be our 21st game."

During his media availability shortly after his radio spot, Vrabel said the situation was "probably" blown out of proportion.

"I wouldn't say anybody hurt anything," Vrabel said when asked if Maye hurt his shoulder. "This is a sport where there's gonna be things that come up. We'll talk about whatever status each player has for the game once we're required to. We understand that. We were able to function offensively, throw the football, run the football so that's kinda where everybody's at."

Maye was sacked five times and took numerous other hits in Denver, including one that some are pointing to as the cause of the shoulder issue. In the third quarter, Maye slid at the end of a 13-yard run and was tackled by Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga. Maye landed on his throwing shoulder and was seen favoring that shoulder.

After Sunday's win, Maye admitted that he was dealing with "bumps and bruises."

"I think a lot of those guys in that locker room are battling through things," Maye said. "At the same time, the best thing about it is we have another chance at it. Another chance at it to get healthy. Two weeks -- a chance to go win the Super Bowl. That's what it is, and that's pretty cool."

Some have theorized that the Patriots were more conservative on offense because he injured his shoulder. Others point out that the lack of a pass game was due to inclement weather, wanting to eat up more of the clock and the confidence in their defense against a Broncos offense that wasn't productive for most of the game.

Just two plays after the injury is believed to have taken place, Maye completed a 31-yard pass to Mack Hollins. And to seal the win, Maye called his own number, running on a naked bootleg rather than the seemingly original plan to hand the ball to running back Rhamondre Stevenson. The second-year QB's risk paid off when he gained seven yards on a crucial third-and-5.

The Seahawks are currently 4.5-point favorites over the Patriots at DraftKings.