New England Patriots Week 18 injury report feat. Drake Maye, Ja'Lynn Polk, Christian Gonzalez and more

The New England Patriots will play for the last time this season when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. The two AFC East teams will clash for the second time this season. Two weeks ago, when the two teams played for the first time, the Pats took a 14-0 lead at Orchard Park but eventually lost 24-21.

After the New York Giants' win last week, the Pats are sitting at No. 1 in the NFL draft order for 2025. However, a win at Gillette Stadium this week could see them drop from that top stop.

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

Patriots injury report for Week 18

The New England Patriots had 15 players listed on their first injury report of the week on Wednesday, including four players who were DNP.

QB Drake Maye popped up on the team's injury report as a limited participant due to a right-hand injury. Following his early exit from last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion, CB Christian Gonzalez did not practice on Wednesday.

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness), center Ben Brown (concussion) and wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) were also nonparticipants in practice.

The other players the team listed as limited in practice on Wednesday are safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadricep), tight end Hunter Henry (foot), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), linebacker Titus Leo (ankle), safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), safety Brenden Schooler (abdomen), linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), linebacker Jahlani Tavai (knee) and tackle Caedan Wallace (ankle).

Drake Maye injury update

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo reaffirmed on Wednesday that Drake Maye would participate in the Week 18 matchup with the Buffalo Bills if he is fit and available. Later in the day, though, the quarterback appeared on the injury list as a limited practice participant because of a hand issue.

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

The Patriots will not play Maye in Sunday's game if he is not fully recovered. The team may decide to rest him in the end to keep him from suffering a more serious injury, especially since a loss to Buffalo would ensure they have the first selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

Ja'Lynn Polk injury update

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

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 in practice on Wednesday.

Christian Gonzalez injury update

After suffering a head injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17, it was not surprising that cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

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

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

"He's still in the protocol, so I don't want to get too far down that line."

It's very unlikely that Gonzalez will play against the Bills.