Brady may sit out another game

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 18, 2008 | by Anonymous

Quarterback Tom Brady isn't sure if a foot injury will sideline him from the New England Patriots' third exhibition game Friday after he sat out the first two.

The injury is on the same leg but different from the right ankle injury the quarterback suffered in last season's AFC title game against San Diego, the NFL's reigning MVP said in a radio interview Monday.

"Just trying to be smart," Brady said on WEEI in Boston after skipping the trip to Tampa Bay for Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Buccaneers. "The preseason is important, but the idea is to be ready for when the regular season kicks off."

He said he received treatment on his foot during the weekend but he's "not sure" if he'll play in Friday's home game against Philadelphia. The Patriots finish the exhibition schedule against the New York Giants on Aug. 28.

Players weren't available to the rest of the media Monday, and coach Bill Belichick canceled an afternoon conference call.

Packers: After looking sharp in his exhibition debut as Green Bay's starter last Monday against Cincinnati, Aaron Rodgers said he and the offense took "a little bit of a step back" in a 34-6 loss to the 49ers on Saturday. "We didn't get into a rhythm," Rodgers said. "We didn't make any plays. I held the ball too long and made a lot of mental errors."

Bears: Coach Lovie Smith named Kyle Orton the winner in a battle with Rex Grossman for Chicago's starting quarterback job. The fourth- year pro will start Thursday's exhibition game against the 49ers and the Sept. 7 season opener against Indianapolis. "To come to a decision like that we've taken a lot of things into consideration: Last year, how (Orton) finished the season ... training camp, preseason games," Smith said. "In the end, it comes down to a gut feeling that you have. I feel good about Kyle leading our team." But Smith couldn't give Orton an ironclad guarantee he will start all season. "We don't name any guys starters for lifetime or anything like that," Smith said.

Vikings: Tarvaris Jackson sprained his right knee against Baltimore on Saturday and his status for next Saturday's game against Pittsburgh is in question. The quarterback participated in individual drills and did some throwing at practice, but did not do any team work, coach Brad Childress said.

Seahawks: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck fully participated in a practice for the first time since his back stiffened 10 days ago and said he'll play in Seattle's next exhibition game Aug. 25 at San Diego. ... Coach Mike Holmgren said right tackle Sean Locklear is out at least two weeks because of a sprained knee.

Colts: Coach Tony Dungy said safety Bob Sanders, the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, and defensive end Dwight Freeney should be cleared for practice this week. Both were placed on the physically unable to perform list -- along with quarterback Peyton Manning -- when training camp opened July 24. Sanders is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, while Freeney is coming back from November foot surgery. Manning had an infected bursa sac removed from his left knee July 14 and was expected to miss four to six weeks.

Bengals: Cincinnati is close to signing Chris Henry, four months after the team released the wide receiver following his fifth arrest since 2005, Henry's agent said. The Bengals suddenly have a need for experienced receivers with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh slowed by injuries. Cincinnati began showing interest in Henry last month when an assault charge stemming from an incident March 31 was dropped, agent Marvin Frazier said.

Saints: Jeremy Shockey ran some plays with the first-team offense in practice and appears on track to make his first appearance in a New Orleans uniform when it plays Saturday in Cincinnati. The four- time Pro Bowl tight end broke his left leg in December and missed the rest of the New York Giants' Super Bowl run. ... Former Pro Bowl safety Lance Schulters signed, making New Orleans the latest stop in a career that has included stints with the 49ers, Tennessee, Atlanta and Miami.

Falcons: Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan's first exhibition start will come Friday against Tennessee. Coach Mike Smith started Chris Redman against Jacksonville and Joey Harrington against Indianapolis.

Ravens: Linebacker Terrell Suggs reported to the team and began practicing after signing his $8.47 million, one-year tender. On the advice of his agent, the team's franchise player skipped training camp to protest the franchise tag. "It was the business side of it. I really didn't want to do it because I love football," Suggs said in explaining his 23-day absence.

Dolphins: Miami released veteran offensive lineman Steve McKinney, three months after he signed as a free agent.

Texans: Houston placed guard Fred Weary on injured reserve because of lingering problems with his right leg, which he broke last season.

Cardinals: Free safety Antrel Rolle and tight end Ben Patrick will miss Saturday's game at Oakland because of high ankle sprains, coach Ken Whisenhunt said.