Patriots takeaways: Drake Maye honored, AJ Brown appears, Efton Chism responds, injuries and more

FOXBOROUGH – Drake Maye is back.

After a rough first three weeks, the Patriots quarterback bounced back with a stellar performance in the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, Maye was rewarded for his efforts by being named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards with three passing touchdowns. He also led the Patriots with 54 rushing yards.

“It’s awesome. It’s great to see him get recognized for his performance and help us win,” Mike Vrabel said. “I want us to win these awards every week, whether it’s Drake or anyone on offense, or the performance we might have on defense or on special teams.”

This performance was a giant step in the right direction for the quarterback.

Maye entered Week 4 with one passing touchdown against six interceptions. He also averaged 195 passing yards per game. The 29 points scored was also a season high for the Patriots offense.

On Wednesday, Maye said he kept the same mindset whether he had a good game or a bad game.

“I try to keep the same mindset when things don’t go well next week and try to bounce back and also this week when you ride the roller coaster,” Maye said. “Every week is a new week in this league and every team is different… You have to play good football to finish on the right side.”

Here are the key takeaways from a busy Wednesday at Gillette Stadium:

Efton Chism rejects trash talk

After pulling off a ridiculous, game-winning one-handed catch, Chism of Effon III found himself in the crosshairs of Buffalo Bills security CJ Gardner-Johnson.

After the Patriots’ victory, Gardner-Johnson called Chism a practice squad player and said the NFL would not hear from him again. The receiver, who never made the practice squad, brushed off the trash talk.

“He’s a great player. This is a great team,” Chism said. “I have a lot of respect for him, but, you know, we’re excited for this week. I’m looking forward to the Raiders.”

With AJ Brown outside and Mack Hollins dealing with a calf injury, there’s a chance Chism will play a bigger role in the Patriots’ offense Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Chism caught two of four targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Buffalo.

• RELATED: Early Data Projections Expect Pats’ Momentum to Continue Over Raiders: Experts and Polymarket Predictions

This production came after Hollins, who served as Chism’s mentor, left the game.

“I’m super excited. I mean, he’s done a lot of work,” Hollins said. “I’ve seen him do the majority because I’ve been with him. So yeah, it’s super exciting to see this work pay off.”

Chism’s signature catch was also a picturesque moment. The photo of the capture became the banner of the NFL’s X account. The second-year receiver said he will continue to prepare as a starter whether he is one or not.

“You continue to prepare as a starter. You never know when you’ll get those opportunities,” Chism said. “I’m just trying to enjoy them. Obviously, I’m excited to get AJ back here in a little while and hopefully Mack can get back here as soon as possible.”

Patriots’ injury list grows

Turns out there was a good reason the Patriots signed an undrafted rookie cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton to the practice squad this week.

If they hadn’t, they might not have had enough defensive backs to practice with.

The Patriots were missing eight players from practice Wednesday, including four cornerbacks. A total of 15 players were listed on the injury report.

Starting outside cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and Carlton Davis (neck) were both out as backup cornerbacks Karon Prunty (hamstrings) and Channing Canada (hamstring) joined them. That left the Patriots with four corners in practice: Marcus Jones, Charles Bois, Kindle Vildor and Hamilton.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder), safety Craig Woodson (shoulder), rushed edge Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and linebacker Christian Ellis (chest) were limited.

On offense, the Patriots have also been hit hard by injuries. The team was missing a running back Rhamondre Stevensonreceiver Mack Hollinsright tackle Morgane Moses and back Reggie Gilliam at the start of the practice.

The team listed Stevenson, Moses and Gilliam as limited in their injury report.

Hollins spoke before practice. Asked about his injury, he said: “Everything we do is day by day, but I feel good and we’ll just progress from there.”

Stevenson limped off the field Sunday with an apparent ankle injury. Vrabel said there’s a chance Stevenson plays Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. If the running back can’t go, the Patriots have TreVeyon Henderson And Corey Kiner on the active list with Lan Larison on the practice squad.

Kiner said he was aware of the offense after being traded to the team on Aug. 29 and credited as the running back coach. Tony Dews.

“I will say that Coach Dews has prepared me over the last few weeks and I feel really comfortable now in the system and ready to handle whatever my load is this week,” Kiner said. “A run or as many runs or pass blocking specials, whatever it is, you know, I feel like this coaching staff has done a great job over the last month of getting me ready to do whatever it is.”

Will AJ Brown return next week?

AJ Brown is eligible to return to practice next week and play against the New York Jets. After suffering a sprained ankle, this is the fourth week the Pro Bowl receiver has been on the injured reserve list.

On Wednesday, Brown was in the Patriots locker room, wearing cleats.

When Vrabel was asked Wednesday about Brown’s practice, he said, “He won’t be here today, I can promise you that because he’s not eligible.”

Asked about next week, the coach said: “I can only speak about what I know for today.

The Patriots face a tight challenge

Last week, one of the Patriots’ defensive goals was to stop the Bills’ tight end. Dalton Kincaid. The team accomplished this feat by limiting the Pro Bowl tight end to just one catch for 7 yards.

This week, the Patriots will have another tough challenge with the Raiders’ tight ends Brock Bowers And Michael Mayer. The two tight ends are second and third in receiving yards for the Raiders.

“I think it’s going to be a little different because their two tight ends have maybe 50 percent of the target share,” the Patriots safety said. Kevin Byard said. “So they’re going to get the ball. Obviously, they’re both going to use it a little bit differently. Brock, I was more on the field, but you know, Mayer is more like underhand checks, underneath routes and stuff like that.

“I think we’ve done a good job so far, but this is probably going to be the biggest challenge so far for us because of the way they use their tight ends.”

Right guard installed

There was some uncertainty over who the Patriots were going to start at right guard last week before the team made its decision. Ben Brown.

There are no more questions like this week. After starting and playing well in Buffalo, Vrabel said Brown will make his second straight start at right guard this week. The veteran backup brought much-needed stability to the position after the Patriots lost starter Michael Onwenu and backup Greg Van Roten.

“It was great to be out there and a great team win, you know, but we’re moving on,” Brown said. “I just want to do my best and I want to be reliable for my teammates, and I want to do my job to the best of my ability, every game, and that’s the most important thing. Just doing my job and to the best of my ability.”