The bye week is supposed to be when the team gets healthy, but the New England Patriots are currently have a big injury concern. According to multiple beat reporters, quarterback Tom Brady missed practice on Friday. Brady is currently battling a knee injury and is questionable for Sunday’s tilt against the New York Jets.
Update: According to NFL Network’s Michael Girardi, Tom Brady is still expected to play on Sunday against the New York Jets.
No Tom Brady at the start of today’s practice. He landed on the injury report Wednesday with a knee injury he suffered in Tennessee.
Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling are the only two here in red non-contact jerseys. pic.twitter.com/Mm08DOoThF
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) November 23, 2018
From all I can gather and the information I've been able to extrapolate, nothing has changed with regards to Tom Brady's status for Sunday's game at MetLife vs. the #Jets (i.e. he's playing) #Patriots
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 23, 2018
Tom Brady Misses Practice Session
Brady’s absence from practice is likely caused by a knee injury he suffered against the Tennessee Titans. According to multiple reports, Brady injured his knee when New England ran a double-pass to Brady late in the game. Brady tripped during that play, reportedly leading to his current injury.
Fortunately for New England, this injury isn’t expected to sideline Brady for Sunday’s battle against the New York Jets. Brady was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report but was reportedly “good to go” for Sunday’s game. This absence likely doesn’t change that status.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Tom Brady has missed a Friday practice. Per WEEI’s Ryan Hannable, Brady missed a Friday practice back in 2015 prior to Week 15. The Patriots beat the Titans 33-16 in that game, while Brady went 23/35 for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, he missed that practice with an illness instead of a knee injury, but it’s historic proof Brady doesn’t need the practice to play good football.
Additionally, Brady had a knee injury surface back in 2016. Back in the waning moments of Week 11, Brady suffered a knee injury and was limited leading up to Week 12’s showdown against the New York Jets. While he didn’t miss practice, he was limited the entire week. Brady ended up playing, leading the Patriots to a come-from-behind 22-17 victory over the AFC East rivals.
Interestingly enough, the New York Jets quarterback situation is in a similar dilemma. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold suffered an injury a few weeks back and Josh McCown is expected to start in his place. McCown last faced the Patriots in Week Six of 2017. During that matchup, McCown went 31/47 for 354 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
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