Like many 41-year-olds, Tom Brady is dealing with a sore back.
The New England Patriots quarterback, who was held out of Thursday night’s preseason game versus the Washington Redskins, has a minor sore back, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the issue.
There is not much cause for concern, Rapoport added.
Bill Belichick was asked Friday if he had any update on a report Brady was dealing with a back issue. "No. Sorry, I don’t," the coach predictably responded.
Even with TB12’s famous regimen, it shouldn’t be a shock that a 41-year-old is nursing a sore back, however minor. Most football players his age are sitting at home. Any reader of a certain age can probably sympathize with dealing with back pains.
The Patriots play the Eagles next week in a preseason rematch of Super Bowl LII. Brady made his preseason debut in the second week last season. We’ll see if the QB continues that routine or if New England chooses to rest the old man and his minor sore back.
Here are other injuries we’re monitoring Friday:
1. New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell left in the first quarter of Friday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons to be evaluated for a head injury. Crowell left the game immediately after scoring on a touchdown run. He was checked out in the sideline medical tent prior to leaving the field. Jets coach Todd Bowles didn’t have an update on Crowell’s status immediately after the game.
2. The Washington Redskins announced two season-ending injuries coming out of Thursday’s preseason opener: running back Derrius Guice, who was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft, and tight end Manasseh Garner. Both players suffered torn ACLs.
3. San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida suffered a separated shoulder Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys and will miss the remainder of the preseason, coach Kyle Shanahan said. An MRI showed no structural damage in the shoulder, Rapoport and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Breida might be able to practice soon without contact and the 49ers are hoping he can play in Week 1.
Tests revealed tight end George Kittle also did not suffer any tears or structural damage on his separated shoulder, Rapoport reported. Shanahan said Kittle also will miss the rest of the preseason. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and offensive lineman Gerry Gilliam are in concussion protocol, Shanahan said.
Shanahan also said cornerback Richard Sherman likely would be healthy enough to play Week 3 of the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury last week.
4. Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Deon Cain tore his ACL during Thursday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Frank Reich said. He is out for the 2018 season. Running back Marlon Mack is week to week with a hamstring strain and running back Robert Turbin is week to week with an ankle injury, Reich said.
5. New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams, who exited early Thursday against the Jaguars, suffered a bruised rib and is expected to be out a week, Around The NFL‘s Herbie Teope reported, per a source.
6. Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott said defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (back/neck), defensive tackle John Hughes (groin), wide receiver Brandon Reilly (ribs) and defensive end Marquavius Lewis (ankle) were among the injuries from Thursday’s tilt against the Panthers.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is not expected to miss the beginning of the season because of the groin injury he suffered Thursday against the Dolphins. Hargreaves has been competing for a starting spot outside and at nickel.
8. Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Dillon Gordon is out for the 2018 season after suffering a shoulder injury, Rapoport reported.
9. Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike Hull suffered a sprained MCL during Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He’s expected to miss a few weeks.