New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye might be making his first NFL begin on Sunday in opposition to the Houston Texans, and it will be an much more tough activity than initially believed.
The Patriots introduced on Friday that working again Rhamondre Stevenson, the crew’s finest offensive playmaker, has been dominated out for the sport attributable to a foot harm.
The Patriots already had one of many NFL’s least dynamic offenses that was brief on playmakers, and Stevenson might be the closest factor they needed to an affect participant. Via the primary 5 video games of the season, he has rushed for 356 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Mixed with a weak offensive line that has been rotating starters and the dearth of big-play large receivers within the passing recreation, the absence of Stevenson goes to go away Maye in a troublesome scenario and make his first begin a frightening activity.
Together with the undermanned offense, he additionally has to go in opposition to one of many NFL’s finest groups — and an excellent protection — in Houston.
The Patriots had been attempting to be affected person in Maye’s improvement, beginning veteran Jacoby Brissett for the primary 5 video games. With the crew now 1-4 and exhibiting no indicators of enchancment on offense, they determined to place Maye into the lineup. He’s going to have fairly a problem to repair this.
