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 meet for the second time this season. Two weeks ago, when the two teams played for the first time, the Pats jumped out to a 14-0 lead in Orchard Park, but ended up losing 24-21.

After last week’s win over the New York Giants, the Pats are ranked No. 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, a win at Gillette Stadium this week could see them fall from that top spot.

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 they had 15 players listed on their first injury report Wednesday, including four players who didn’t play.

QB Drake Maye appeared on the team’s injury report as a limited participant due to a right hand injury. After leaving last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers early with a concussion, CB Christian Gonzalez did not practice Wednesday.

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness), center Ben Brown (concussion) and wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder) also did not participate in practice.

Other players listed by the team as limited at practice Wednesday are safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadriceps), 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 confirmed Wednesday that Drake Maye will participate in the Week 18 matchup with the Buffalo Bills if he is fit and available. Later in the day, the guard appeared on the injured list as a limited participant in practice due to an arm problem.

Maye suffered a finger injury during the Chargers game last week, but it was not thought to be a major problem. A head injury also temporarily left the game in the first quarter, but returned in the second quarter and played until the end of the fourth quarter, recording 12 tackles, 117 passes and a score.

The Patriots will not play Maye in Sunday’s game unless he is fully recovered. The team could eventually decide to rest him to avoid a more serious injury, especially since a loss to Buffalo would secure 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 targeted just once and failed to record any catches. However, it seems that he injured his shoulder in that game.

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

Christian 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 considered questionable to return after suffering a head injury last week. But shortly before half-time, 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 go too far down that line.”

Gonzalez is unlikely to play against the Bills.