Patriots rule Drake Maye out against Lions with ankle injury

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in Munich with an ankle injury after a first-quarter sack by Aidan Hutchinson, who hurt his knee celebrating the play.

Hutchinson, a Lions defensive end, tackled Maye from behind and landed on his legs on third down, on the final play of New England’s opening drive. Maye’s ankle appeared trapped under Hutchinson’s weight as he was pulled down. The sack came about five and a half minutes into the game.

Maye had started every game for New England since taking the starting job in Week 6 of his rookie season in 2024. Now in his third NFL season, he finished as the runner-up for the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2025.

The Associated Press reported that Maye injured his right ankle. He walked off under his own power, hunched over and seemingly in pain, then went to the locker room with trainers. New England initially listed him as questionable, before ruling him out in the second quarter.

Maye had completed 3-of-4 passes for 48 yards and scrambled for 11 yards before his exit.

“This was Drake Maye's final play before leaving the game questionable with an ankle injury,” NFL reporter Doug Kyed wrote on X alongside video of the sack.

This was Drake Maye's final play before leaving the game questionable with an ankle injury.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) November 15, 2026

Hutchinson, meanwhile, leaped into the air to celebrate and came down awkwardly. His knee appeared to buckle on landing, and he recoiled before clutching his right knee.

“Oh boy. #Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson got hurt celebrating a sack. He’s now in the medical tent,” NFL reporter Ari Meirov wrote on X.

Oh boy. #Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson got hurt celebrating a sack.

He’s now in the medical tent.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2026

Hutchinson went to the locker room for evaluation, and Detroit listed him as questionable to return because of a knee injury.

Referee Clay Martin’s crew threw no flag on the sack. ESPN described it as appearing to be a possible hip-drop tackle, with Hutchinson reaching his right arm around Maye’s right shoulder pad.

ProFootballTalk wrote that the injury resembled those caused by a hip-drop or horse-collar tackle, but described the play as unfortunate rather than a penalty.

After the sack, Andy Borregales finished the Patriots’ opening drive with a 33-yard field goal. Detroit answered with an Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown on its first possession and held a 14-3 lead late in the second quarter.

Backup quarterback Tommy DeVito replaced Maye for New England’s second drive. Seventh-round rookie Behren Morton is the only other quarterback on the roster.

That drive brought another injury for New England. Starting right tackle Morgan Moses limped off with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to return. Caleb Lomu, a 2026 first-round draft pick, took his place.

The game at Allianz Arena was the NFL’s Week 10 international game and its final game in Europe this year. The extent of both injuries was not yet known, CBS Sports reported.