New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye misses practice with illness before Super Bowl

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye hit a small setback in the lead-up to the Super Bowl after missing practice on Friday because of an illness.

Maye missed out on the team’s final practice in Massachusetts before traveling to Santa Clara for Super Bowl week. The previous day, Maye was limited in practice because of a shoulder injury, but the New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the illness was the main reason Maye wasn't on the field Friday. The quarterback, however, was still at the facility and attended team meetings.

Both coach Vrabel and the team look positive, and are not worried about Maye’s status and believe the situation is under control. Speaking to the reporters, the head coach Mike Vrabel said, “We’ve had a lot of guys over the last month or six weeks with illness,” he continued. “We’re just trying to do what’s best for the player and the team.”

The coach also spoke about how well Maye handled Thursday’s session and added he likely would have practiced again if he wasn’t sick. The Patriots have dealt with similar issues across the roster in recent weeks and are being cautious to avoid spreading anything further.

Despite the missed practice, Maye made it clear his focus remains on being ready for the biggest game of his career. “I’m feeling good and looking forward to being ready to go,” Maye said.

11 years after their last meeting in the league's biggest stage The Patriots are set to face the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch. As Super Bowl week begins, all eyes will be on Maye’s health, but for now, the team expects its quarterback to be ready when it matters most.