Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye had already earned the respect of many of his teammates before being named the starter for this Sunday’s game against Houston. Matt Stone/Boston Herald

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye is ready.

After being announced as the Patriots starter, the rookie quarter has impressed his head coach this week in practice. Maye had been receiving some starter reps in the first five weeks of the season, but this marked his first week as the Patriots starting quarterback.

On Friday morning, Coach Jerod Mayo said the rookie has impressed and it has led to a new level of energy among his teammates.

“Good week of practice,” Mayo said. “Thought Drake went out there and performed well overall. We’ll have to wait and see if it happens in the game. He’s done a good job. I feel like there’s a renewed sense of energy throughout the team. And now it just comes down to Sunday, going out there and executing.”

The No. 3 overall pick came to the Patriots with high expectations, but the organization wanted to take it slow. That’s part of the reason why the team opted to start Jacoby Brissett at quarterback in Week 1. Maye, however, pushed the veteran late in training camp and showed his teammates his potential.

This season, Maye received 30% of the starter reps in practice. He also ran the scout team with fellow rookie quarterback Joe Milton III. As the weeks went on, the Patriots offense struggled, and Maye ascended.

The tipping point came when the Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins, 15-10, last weekend. Now, Maye will make his first NFL start against the Houston Texans.

“You can feel it, first of all, before you even see anything,” Mayo said. “The guys are locked in and ready to go. Those guys are running back to the huddle and ready for the next rep, so it’s encouraging.”

It’s an exciting time for Patriots fans, but also other first-year players.

“Very excited. I’m always excited for guys to have their chance,” said Milton, drafted in the sixth round. “It was obviously his dream growing up as well – just like the rest of us. So, for him to go out there and get a chance, I’m very excited for him.”

“It’s very cool. I’m excited for him, man,” added Marcellas Dial. “I see him work every day in practice and I’m confident. I know he will go out there and do his job and hopefully carry us to a W.”

It’s not a coincidence that the Patriots drafted two receivers (Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker) and two offensive linemen (Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson) with their next four picks. This year, Polk has quickly worked his way up the depth chart. The receiver has started four of the first five games this season. Polk’s grown close to Maye and called him a “great player.”

“He’s a competitor,” Polk said. “I’m excited and looking forward to getting out there in practice and preparing and going and getting the win this weekend.”

“I feel like it’s a great opportunity from Drake just to go out there and show what he can do,” Robinson added. “That’s very big for him. I know he’s been waiting for that, that turn, an opportunity for himself. We’re all just happy to see him get the opportunity and go out there and see what he can do best.”

RUNNING BACK Rhamondre Stevenson missed his third and final practice of the week Friday, and will not be available for this weekend’s home kickoff against Houston.

Stevenson was listed with a foot injury on the last two practice reports. He told reporters after last Sunday’s loss Miami that he took a helmet to his calf, which caused him to receive on-field medical attention and miss most of the rest of the game.

The Patriots are likely to turn to veteran backups Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty against the Texans on Sunday.

DAVON GODCHAUX doesn’t usually hang out with offensive linemen as a rule, but when Shaq Mason was with the Patriots, he made an exception.

Mason, who was with New England from 2015-2021, is now a member of the Houston Texans. Godchaux, a defensive tackle, signed with the Patriots in 2021 as a free agent. He and Mason became fast friends.

“We actually talked to each other yesterday,” Godchaux said Thursday. “But I’m excited, man. I’m excited to go against any offensive line. Any chance to compete at the highest level of the NFL … just show guys our skill sets. I’m glad we’re doing different things on defense, moving me around from a three-technique, to a five-technique, to a zero … I love it.”

Godchaux claimed there was no pre-game trash talk with Mason, who was initially traded to Tampa Bay by the Patriots in 2022, before landing with the Texans a year later.

“Shaq is my guy,” Godchaux said. “We’d hang out off the field when he was here … I don’t really hang out with offensive linemen. Shaq and Trent (Brown) were the two linemen I hung out with the most. But, yeah, I’m just glad to compete against (Shaq) this weekend. I haven’t played him since he was in New England. We didn’t play Tampa that year he was in Tampa. So it’s going to be exciting.”

COLE STRANGE may have a new position when he returns to the Patriots lineup.

As New England searches for a replacement for David Andrews, Mayo said there’s a “100%” chance they’ll try Strange at center. In his first two seasons with the Patriots, Strange made 27 starts, but all of them came at guard.

“I think any of those interior spots, he can play guard, he can play center,” Mayo said. “We have to get the best person out there, and I think he has the ability, the physical tools to be able to do it.”

The 2022 first-rounder tore his patellar tendon last December. Mayo provided a positive update on Friday.

“He’s starting to look like an NFL player,” Mayo said. “He’s getting better. We’ll see what happens as we go forward.”

CHRISTIAN BARMORE was diagnosed with blood clots this summer and had to stop all football activities. As this season has unfolded, it appears there’s a chance the Patriots could get back their most talented defensive lineman.

On Thursday night, Barmore tweeted out an hourglass, which looked like a message that he could return sooner than expected. On Friday morning, Mayo provided a positive update on the defensive tackle’s situation.

“He’s progressing,” Mayo said. “He still has some checkpoints or hurdles to get over, but he’s progressing.”

When asked if he thought there is a better chance for Barmore to play this season than he did a few weeks ago, Mayo responded, “I would say, ‘yes.’ ”