New England Patriots injury report Week 18. Drake Maye, Jalen Polk, Christian Gonzalez and others

The New England Patriots will play for the final time this season when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. The two teams will face off in the AFC East for the second time this season. Two weeks ago, when the two teams played for the first time, the Pats led 14-0 at Orchard Park but ultimately lost 24-21.

After last week's win by the New York Giants, the Pats hold the No. 1 spot in the 2025 NFL Draft standings. However, a win at Gillette Stadium this week could knock them down from that top spot.

Let's take a look at the Patriots' injury report for their Week 18 game.

Patriots injury report for week 18

the New England Patriots Fifteen players were listed on the first injury report of the week on Wednesday, including four DNP players.

QB Drake May He appeared on the team's injury report as a limited participant due to a right hand injury. After exiting early from last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion, quarterback Christian Gonzalez did not practice on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Kayshun Puti (illness), center Ben Brown (concussion) and wide receiver Jalen Polk (shoulder) were also not participating in practice.

Other players listed by the team as limited in practice on Wednesday were Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadriceps), tight end Hunter Henry (foot), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), linebacker Titus Liu (ankle), safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring). ). , safety Brenden Schooler (abdomen), linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), linebacker Jahlani Tavai (knee) and tackle Kayden Wallace (ankle).

Drake May injury update

New England Patriots coach Jerrod Maye reaffirmed on Wednesday that Drake Maye will participate in their Week 18 matchup with the Buffalo Bills if he is fit and available. Later in the day, the midfielder appeared on the injury list as a limited participant in practice due to a hand issue.

Maye suffered a finger injury during a Chargers game last week, but it wasn't thought to be a major problem. A head injury also temporarily knocked him out of the game in the first quarter, but he returned in the second quarter and played until the end of the fourth quarter, recording 12 completions, 117 yards, and a score.

The Patriots will not play Maye in Sunday's game if he does not fully recover. The team may decide to rest him eventually to prevent him from suffering a more serious injury, especially since a loss to Buffalo would guarantee them the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jalen Polk injury update

Ja'Lynn Polk barely played in the Patriots' last game against the Chargers, as he was targeted only once and failed to record a catch. But it looks like he injured his shoulder in that match.

To have a chance to play in Week 18 against the Bills, Polk will probably need to return to practice on Thursday or Friday, at least in a limited capacity, after starting the week as a DNP at practice on Wednesday.

Cristian Gonzalez injury update

After suffering a head injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, it was no surprise that cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Gonzalez went to the medical tent and was initially doubtful to return after the head injury last week. But shortly before halftime, he was finally declared ineligible to play again.

Regarding Gonzalez's status for Week 18, Jerrod Mayo said:

“It's still within protocol, so I don't want to get too deep into this.”

Gonzalez is unlikely to play against the Bills.