What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Thursday rumblings (Week 4)

Sophie Weller, Patriots WireFri, October 2, 2026 at 12:13 AM UTC

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Even though Drake Maye downplayed the shoulder injury during his Wednesday press conference, that was still a lot of the talk at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, especially as the quarterback popped up on the injury report for the first time this season.

All three coordinators spoke with reporters, including Josh McDaniels and he fielded numerous questions about the quarterback's struggles to start the season as well as the shoulder injury.

Here's what I'm hearing:

Josh McDaniels provides clarity on Drake Maye's shoulder injury

As Drake Maye's struggles continue to start the 2026 season, they have brought up questions regarding any lingering impacts from the shoulder injury he suffered in the AFC Championship Game. And while he quieted those concerns by saying it hasn't impacted his throwing, the quarterback did pop up on Wednesday's injury report with a right shoulder injury, but was listed as a full participant. The same happened on Thursday.

But, Josh McDaniels made it clear he isn't concerned.

“I believe he got dinged last week,” McDaniels said. “We haven’t had a big meeting and talked about specifically, like exactly this and that or the other happened. He ran the ball a few times last week, and I think that’s what happened.”

“He’s always been a guy that can run and do things with his legs and all that,” McDaniels added. “He’s taken a few hits since he’s been in the National Football League. You know, that’s kind of part of the process when you when you can make things happen with your legs, you know, you’re going to incur some hits. They would obviously tell me, obviously, if there was something that we felt like we couldn’t do or he couldn’t do. That has not been the case.

"I know he’s a tough kid. I know that for sure. Doesn’t make a big deal out of much. And so, business as usual for us.”

Christian Gonzalez misses second practice

The Patriots were once again missing three of their starters on Thursday, with the addition of one more veteran who was not spotted at practice. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder), tackle Morgan Moses (foot), and Reggie Gilliam (knee) were absent, with Gilliam being the new addition to the list.

There's no denying how much the Patriots need Gonzalez, as he has consistently been one of their top players each and every week despite the 1-2 record. And then, losing Barmore will likely aid the Bills' run game, as they have both Josh Allen and James Cook. As for Moses, if he doesn't suit up on Sunday, it'll be Caleb Lomu, who has been taking reps with the starters in practice.

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"I mean, I don't really see it as challenging," defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr said when asked about the constant changes having to be made on defense. "It's just another week that we got to find a solution to whatever the problem of the week is. An I get excited for that."

Has Drake Maye lost confidence?

Due to his poor start, which has included seven turnovers over the course of three games, it has brought up questions regarding whether Maye is in a slump and has lost his confidence.

“Honestly, I played golf with him, pickleball with him. I’ve watched him play football, and I’m not really sure what changes that for him. He’s blessed in that regard,” McDaniels said. “When I hit a tee shot in the woods, my confidence is shattered and I’m going to do it again and again and again. He doesn’t really do that. He can do that. And then the next one’s down the middle, it’s 340, and you’re sitting there going, ‘How does that happen?’”

“Yes, there are things that we can do better. Yes, there are things that we can work on to try to make some of the negative scenarios that we’ve had happen, go away,” he added. “That’s what he’s focused on, but his demeanor, his countenance, his facial expressions, his ability to interject things into meetings has not changed and I love that about the kid. He’s blessed in that regard because I think there’s people that sometimes let those things weigh on.”

Andy Borregales' up-and-down trend

Patriots kicker Andy Borregales has missed some important kicks throughout the preseason, and it has carried into the regular season. On Thursday, special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer highlighted what Borregales needs to focus on to be more consistent.

"It's just honing down some of the fundamental things," Springer said. "It's just honing him back and making sure that he's locked in, from the first to the fourth quarter on some of those things, and he's got to understand, as we all understand, how important those plays really are in a game."

Specifically, in the Patriots' 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, Borregales missed a 38-yard field goal in the third quarter.

"You make that field goal; it's a one-score game in the third quarter with some momentum, and then when you don't make those field goals, it gets flat. Because we're depending on those guys to make those field goals and get those points," he added. "It's all about making them understand that you got to be locked in for four quarters. And he's working his tail off, doing great things, and unfortunately, missed that one, but always confident in Andy, and he'll be right back to where he was as he did in the fourth quarter there, hit that field goal later to get right back on track."

Other notes -

The Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman Matt Pryor off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.

Jeremy Springer on Kyle Williams' stepping out of bounds during his kick return against JAX: "That is something, when those things happen, I always look at myself as a coach. Have I put them in those situations yet? I need to do a better job personally of making sure all the situations that could come up in a game like that happened right there, that they go through that. And with that experience right there, I think next time, I don't think it happens again with someone like Kyle. Such a good pro and mistakes are going to happen. I put that on myself as a coach, where I'm just like, maybe once a week, we got to work on those things and things like that."

Jeremy Springer on P Mitch Wishnowsky: "Mitch has been steady. A steady vet. He knows situations really well. He's been in a lot of big-time games, playing in two Super Bowls, right? So he's played a lot of football, and because of that, we have a good dialogue about what we're thinking going into the week."

Josh McDaniels on if Drake Maye has the 'yips': "No yips, definitely... I think just sticking with the process of trying to get things right that you can make better, and I think our players see things that we can do better."

Zak Kuhr on Christian Gonzalez: "Christian, I think he's done really well. He's shown up in the run game. He's had some physicality in his vision and break stuff. He's done great in covering... He's been a savvy player. He's been communicating. I think he's had a really strong start. Obviously he's a special piece to our defense and he continues to be, and I think he's had a great start."

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