New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo informs about quarterback Jacoby Brissett's shoulder injury

Coach of the New England Patriots Jerod Mayo gave an update on the quarterback’s shoulder injury Jacoby Brissett after Sunday's preseason game against the Washington Commanders. The coach said Brissett was healthy enough to continue playing, but the team was holding him back for safety reasons.

“He could have continued,” Mayo said, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. “…He said he was fine.”

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Brissett suffered the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game and did not return, completing just 2 of 4 passes for 19 yards before leaving the game.

Drake May took his place and threw 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. It was a big statement for the rookie from North Carolinawho hopes to take Brissett's starting spot.

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There's little doubt the Patriots see Maye as their future after selecting him with the third overall pick this offseason. He also brings a ton of potential after throwing for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns with 16 interceptions in his college career.

However, it's always risky to start a rookie right out of the gate, and New England may want to take a little more time to develop Maye rather than throw him in at the deep end. Now that Brissett is healthy, according to Mayo, they have the opportunity to do so.

The Patriots finished the preseason 1-2 and will begin the regular season on September 8 against the Bengals.

ESPN NFL insider predicts Drake Maye will sit behind Jacoby Brissett this NFL season

There is a scenario where Brissett gets the keys to the offense to start the season before Maye eventually takes over, and that is what Dan Graziano of ESPN is betting on it. Graziano wrote in his column Monday that he believes Brissett will begin the season at quarterback while Maye continues to gain momentum.

“Here's another story with an ending you already know,” Graziano wrote. “Maye was selected third in this year's draft and will be the starter at some point. But he's only 21 years old and was viewed by many leading up to the draft as an inexperienced prospect who needs time to develop. He made some eye-popping throws in the offseason that remind you why he was selected where he was selected, but New England is a rebuilding team that believes it can give Maye as much time as he needs.

“And that's why the Patriots have Brissett, a reliable veteran who has been everything they hoped he would be both as a player and as a mentor to the rookie. Brissett threw three touchdown passes in three games with the Commanders last season and posted a solid 62 QBR as the Browns' starter in 2022.”