New England Patriots Week 18 Injury Report Drake Maye, Jalin 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, marking the second time the two AFC East teams meet this season. When the two teams first met two weeks ago, the Pats led 14-0 at Orchard Park, but eventually lost 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 relegated from the top spot.

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

Patriots May 18 injury report

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

QB Drake Maye appeared on the team’s injury report as a limited participant due to a right hand injury. CB Christian Gonzalez didn’t practice Wednesday because of the injury he suffered after leaving last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers early.

Wide receiver Kaishon Butte (illness), center Ben Brown (concussion) and wide receiver Ja’lin Polk (shoulder) also did not participate in practice.

Other players listed as limited in practice Wednesday were safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadriceps), tight end Hunter Henry (foot), linebacker Anfernie Jennings (knee), linebacker Titus Leo (ankle), safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring). , safety Brendon Schooler (abdomen), linebacker Zion Takitaki (knee), linebacker Jahlani Tawai (knee) and tackle Kedan Wallace (ankle).

Drake Maye injury update

New England Patriots coach Jerrod Mayo reaffirmed Wednesday that Drake Maye will participate in the Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills if he is eligible and available. Later in the day, however, the quarterback appeared on the injured list as a participant in limited practice due to a hand issue.

Maye suffered a finger injury in the Chargers game last week, but it is not thought to be a major problem. He left the game temporarily in the first quarter with a head injury, but returned in the second quarter and played until late in the fourth quarter, recording 12 completions, 117 passing yards and a score.

The Patriots say Maye won’t play in Sunday’s game if he doesn’t make a full return. Especially since a loss to Buffalo would cost them the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the team could ultimately decide to rest him to avoid a more serious injury.

Jalen Polk injury update

Jalin Polk was not involved in the Patriots’ final game, as he was only targeted once and had no catches. But he apparently hurt his shoulder in that game.

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

Christian Gonzalez injury update

It was no surprise that cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not participate in Wednesday’s practice after suffering a head injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.

Gonzalez entered the treatment tent and was listed as questionable to return due to a head injury he suffered last week. But shortly before the break he was finally declared unfit to play again.

Regarding Gonzalez’s Week 18 status, Jerrod 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 with the Bills.