FOXBOROUGH — Drake Maye was present and leading quarterback drills to start Thursday’s Patriots practice.

The rookie quarterback may have progressed to Phase 4 of the NFL’s 5-stage concussion protocol, as it appears he’s taken another step forward. On Wednesday in Phase 3, Maye was limited to less than 30 minutes and not present at the start of practice, but a day later, he was there right from the jump and going first in individual drills.

Jerod Mayo didn’t address the media on Thursday — his press conferences are Wednesday and Friday — but offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt did field questions before practice. While he was mum on specifics, Van Pelt did express hope that Maye would continue trending the way he has.

“I’m not going to discuss injured players,” Van Pelt said. “That’s my stance on that. He is in the protocol and let the training staff handle all of that. He did show up (Wednesday) in practice and did some limited things on the field and that’s about where I’ll leave it. Hopefully he’s progressing. Very hopeful that things keep going in the way they’re trending, but again, that’s not my area.”

The NFL describes Phase 4 as “club based non-contract drills,” which it appeared Maye was participating in on Thursday:

“The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training, team-based sports-specific exercise, and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g.throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities). Neurocognitive and balance testing should be completed no later than the end of Phase Four with the results interpreted as back to baseline.”

From there it’s just Phase 5, which is getting “full football activity/clearance:”

“Upon clearance by the Club physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his Club. If the INC concurs with the Club physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may participate in his Club’s next practice or game.”