Neither Drake Maye nor Jalen Hurts is expected to play when the New England Patriots host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at 7 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Is Drake Maye Playing Today?
Drake Maye is unlikely to play against the Eagles, according to game-day reporting. The Patriots are expected to rest Maye and several other core players after the starters received extensive work during two joint practices with Philadelphia.
New England has not indicated that Maye is dealing with an injury. The anticipated decision appears to be about managing his preseason workload and giving the coaching staff more opportunities to evaluate backup and roster-bubble players.
Unless the Patriots make a late change, fans should not expect to see Maye under center Saturday night.
Is Jalen Hurts Playing Today?
Jalen Hurts is also not expected to play in Patriots vs. Eagles.
Philadelphia gave Hurts and its first-team offense significant work during the clubs’ joint practices in Foxborough. With those competitive sessions completed, the Eagles are expected to rest most of their established starters during the preseason game.
Hurts also sat out Philadelphia’s preseason opener. His likely absence against New England is consistent with the Eagles’ cautious approach to preseason playing time for key veterans.
Patriots vs. Eagles Quarterback Outlook
With Maye and Hurts expected to sit, the game should feature extended opportunities for the backup quarterbacks on both teams.
Those preseason repetitions will be particularly important for players competing for reserve roles and roster spots. Coaches will evaluate their command of the offense, decision-making, accuracy and performance under pressure before final roster cuts.
Patriots vs. Eagles Game Information
- Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
- Competition: 2026 NFL preseason, Week 2
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Streaming: NFL+ and applicable local team platforms
- Local television: Check regional listings
Why Are Maye and Hurts Expected to Sit?
Joint practices have become an important substitute for preseason snaps involving established starters. They allow coaches to create specific situations, control contact and give first-team units substantial work against another opponent.
Maye and Hurts both participated in the Patriots–Eagles joint practices leading up to Saturday’s game. That work reduced the need to expose either franchise quarterback to unnecessary injury risk in an exhibition contest.
Final Update
Drake Maye and Jalen Hurts are not expected to play in Saturday’s Patriots–Eagles preseason game. Both teams are likely to rely primarily on backups while resting many of their core starters.
Because preseason plans can change shortly before kickoff, fans should monitor official team announcements and confirmed inactive lists for the final decision.
Sources: Philadelphia Inquirer, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles.