Jayson Tatum greets Drake Maye after Patriots practice, says he's 'getting better'

Zack Cox, Boston Herald on Aug 6, 2025

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FOXBORO, Mass. — Among the long list of special guests at Wednesday’s New Engalnd Patriots joint practice was Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

Tatum, who’s recovering from a ruptured Achilles, did not wear a walking boot as he watched practice alongside Celtics staffers Nick Sang and Bred Hampton. The group attended the final 90 minutes of the two-hour session, standing throughout, then spent time greeting players and posing for photos.

Former Patriots Danny Amendola, Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty and Patrick Chung also were among the notables in attendance as New England hosted the visiting Washington Commanders at their practice facility.

Tatum did not speak with reporters during his visit to Gillette Stadium, but he did offer a brief update on his rehab during a post-practice meetup with quarterback Drake Maye that was captured by the Patriots’ and Celtics’ content teams.

“I’m praying for you, man,” Maye said. “How you feeling? You feeling all right?”

“Getting better,” Tatum replied.

Maye, a former high school hoops standout, first met Tatum at a Celtics playoff game weeks after he joined the Patriots in 2024.

“He’s a Duke guy,” said Maye, a North Carolina product, “but what he’s done for Boston and, obviously, I told him what a heartbreak what happened with him. I’m looking forward to seeing him come back. And it’s a funny story, my brother’s here. My oldest brother, Luke, his first start was in Cameron (Indoor Stadium) against Duke, and he was guarding Jayson in his first start. So, it’s pretty cool.”

Tatum suffered his injury during a playoff game against the New York Knicks on May 13 and underwent surgery the following day. He is expected to miss most or all of the upcoming NBA season.

The Celtics have yet to announce a timetable for Tatum’s return to the court.

“We won’t put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time,” president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said in late June. “As we look at it, there’s no reason to. It’s baby steps right now. He’s actually progressed great, but I don’t know what that means with regard to projected timelines. And that’ll be in consultation with him and (his trainers) and everybody else to make sure he is — when he hits the court — he is fully ready and fully healthy. And that will be the priority.”

Tatum was the second Celtic to attend a Patriots practice in the last two weeks. Head coach Joe Mazzulla made the trip to Foxboro last Wednesday along with his son.

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