FOXBOROUGH – Jerod Mayo left a hint about Drake Maye on Wednesday that could mean good news for the Patriots.

In the weekly press conference, The Patriots the coach revealed that Maye was in the NFL concussion protocol and would practice on a limited basis and throw a few passes. Later, when asked if the rookie quarterback could practice more than 30 minutes, Mayo said, “No.”

That information is important.

According to the NFL’s concussion protocol, players must go through five phases before returning to play. When Mayo said Maye can work out but can’t last more than 30 minutes, it means the quarterback has already gone through the first two phases of the protocol.

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Phase 3 of the protocol is where players can do soccer-specific exercises.

The return to playback protocol reads as follows:

“The player continues with supervised cardiovascular exercises that are increased and can mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced. The player is allowed to practice with the team in sport-specific drills for 30 minutes or less, with continuous and close monitoring.”

This fits with what Mayo said when he noted that Maye could coach and throw passes, but it wouldn’t last more than 30 minutes.

So what does this mean for Maye and Sunday’s game in Tennessee?

At this point, there is still a glimmer of hope that the Patriots have their rookie quarterback against the Titans. At this point, Maye has three more steps in the NFL protocol before he can return to practice and a game.

After Wednesday, Maye can move to Phase 4 — if he shows no signs of concussion. If this happens, switch to non-contact training drills.

Here’s what that means:

“The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team sport-specific exercises, and participates in non-contact football activities (eg, throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of phase four, with results interpreted as returning to baseline.”

If Maye enters Phase 4 on Thursday and still shows no signs of concussion, he will move on to the final phase on Friday.

Phase 5 is full football activity and independent medical clearance. The rule reads as follows:

“Following clearance by the club doctor for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by his club’s appointed Independent Neurological Consultant (INC). If the INC agrees with the club doctor that the player’s concussion has been resolved, he may participate in his club’s next training session or match.”

If Maye entered Phase 3 on Wednesday, he would have to go through Phase 4 and Phase 5 in the next three days before Sunday’s game.

If he does, the Patriots will likely have their rookie quarterback in Tennessee. If he has a setback, Jacoby Brissett will start against the Titans.