Is Drake Maye playing this week? Exploring Patriots QB's status for Week 18

The New England Patriots are heading into their season finale against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium with the joint-worst record in the NFL. They are tied with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants at 3-13.

The Patriots will pick first on April 24th if they lose on Sunday. However, they could slip to fourth with a win over the Bills, who will be fielding their backup players having already secured the second seed in the AFC standings.

The team's offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt clarified that the team wasn't worried about its place in the draft order and plans to play to win. During his media availability last Thursday, he said:

"We're playing the game to win the game, for sure. We'll see how it goes from that point. But yes, that's the intent."

However, they might fall short in their bid to beat Buffalo if quarterback Drake Maye misses the game.

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Drake Maye injury update: Will QB play in Week 18 vs. the Bills?

The rookie is nursing a hand injury and has been a limited participant in practice throughout the week. His status for the game on Sunday against the Bills has been listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

While the Patriots are being coy about Drake Maye's availability, head coach Jerod Mayo suggested on Wednesday that he'll suit up and play barring any setbacks in practice:

"Drake's healthy. He'll be at practice today, and we'll see how it goes this week... He's a competitor. He wants to play. He's still developing, so he'll be ready to go."

There have been no reports about the rookie's injury worsening. He'll likely play against the Bills on Sunday.

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Drake Maye stats: How has the QB fared this season?

Drake Maye started the year as the Patriots' backup quarterback behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. However, the coaching staff handed the reins of the offense to the rookie in Week 6 and he hasn't looked back since.

He has thrown for 2,254 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 11 games. He also has 421 rushing yards despite the Patriots not having any designed quarterback runs in their playbook.

It remains to be seen whether he plays in Week 18 against the Bills. If he doesn't, the Patriots would still deem his rookie season a massive success.