FOXBOROUGH — A usual practice split for quarterbacks is 95 percent of first-team reps to the starter and 5 percent to the backup, according to Patriots coach Jerod Mayo.
In New England, however, the split looks a little different.
Mayo said Friday that veteran Jacoby Brissett takes 70 percent of the first-team reps, which leaves 30 percent for rookie Drake Maye. The atypical division is part of the ongoing effort to facilitate Maye’s development, even as Brissett serves as the starter.
“We have a quarterback in the wings that needs to continue to develop,” Mayo said. “I guess the struggle is, how do you get your starting quarterback prepared for the game and also continue to develop the guy in the background, which is Drake. So it is like a 70-30 split.”
When Mayo announced Brissett as the starter for this season, he stressed the importance of still prioritizing Maye’s growth and building off the strides he made during training camp. In addition to taking practice reps with the first team, Maye works with the scout team and with virtual reality technology.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted Thursday there are still plenty of opportunities for Maye to keep learning, whether in the meeting room, on the practice field, at home, or on the sideline. The Patriots continue to sound pleased with Maye’s progress.
“He’s doing a good job,” Mayo said. “You can see his confidence continuing to grow.”
Mayo and Van Pelt also credited Brissett for how he has handled the situation, including ceding a portion of his reps. Since the Patriots signed Brissett to a one-year deal in March, his professionalism and mentorship have received consistent praise.
“He understands that we drafted Drake as the No. 3 pick in the draft, and, looking out the front windshield, at some point in time — I don’t know when that time will come — he’ll have to go out there and play,” Mayo said.
“Just seeing the relationship in the quarterback room has been special for me. It is very hard. When we talk about checking your ego at the door, I would say that Jacoby is one of those guys that is egoless. He wants to do what’s best for the team.”
Baker’s turn will come
Rookie Javon Baker was a healthy scratch in the season opener, but wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes expressed optimism that he will have a role.
“I think he’s on schedule in terms of his development, in terms of where he’s at,” Hughes said. “I think we’ll see him more and more as the season goes on.
“Obviously, he’s got to continue to earn those opportunities. When he gets them, he’ll have to make something happen within those.”
Baker, whom the Patriots drafted in the fourth round, flashed his big-play ability at the start of training camp, but struggled with dropping passes — an issue for him during college as well — by the end of the summer.
The team also disciplined Baker for a rant he posted on Instagram after receiving a traffic ticket. Mayo would not say whether Baker’s inactive status was part of the discipline.
Against Cincinnati, the Patriots used four wide receivers: K.J. Osborn (who was on the field for 62 percent of the offense’s snaps), DeMario Douglas (60 percent), Tyquan Thornton (58 percent), and Ja’Lynn Polk (54 percent). Kayshon Boutte, who earned practice player of the week honors for mimicking Ja’Marr Chase, also was active but did not take a snap.
Osborn logged the most targets with six.
Hughes said he expects the wide receiver room to be competitive throughout the season.
Injury report
The Patriots ruled out guard Sidy Sow (ankle) for the second straight week. Four players — safety Kyle Dugger (ankle), running back JaMycal Hasty (knee), guard Layden Robinson (shoulder), and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder) — are questionable. Dugger, Hasty, and Robinson popped up on the injury report Thursday, with only Robinson returning to practice in a full capacity Friday . . . Seattle ruled out tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee). Running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and tackle George Fant (knee) are doubtful, while linebackers Jerome Baker (hamstring) and Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) are questionable.
Star in the community
The NFL Players Association named Osborn its Community MVP for Week 2, after he gifted sneakers, backpacks, school supplies, and Patriots merchandise to 50 students at the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club of Roxbury during his recent “Kicks for Kids” event. “I was once a Boys & Girls Club kid, so it’s always special when given an opportunity to connect with them,” Osborn said in a statement. “As a kid, I always vowed to give back to the community if I was blessed enough to be in the position I am today.” The NFLPA will donate $10,000 either to Osborn’s foundation or a charity of his choice.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.