Brady: ‘Great to be back at work’
Tom Brady confirmed on Westwood One Radio that he returned to Gillette Stadium on Monday and would start practice today.
“It was great to be back in the building,” he said. “It was certainly great to be back at work.
“I’ll take the days as they come. I’ll certainly need the practices to try to get on the same page as all the guys who have been practicing the last four weeks.” Cards missing Johnson, Branch: The Cardinals will be without running back Chris Johnson and safety Tyvon Branch for at least eight weeks as both players were placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
Johnson and Branch are dealing with groin injuries suffered during Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Rams.
NFL rules allow for one player to be eligible to return to the active roster eight weeks after his injured-reserve designation, so one of the two could return in early December while the other will miss the rest of the season. In other moves, the Cardinals waived punter Drew Butler with an injury settlement, added punter Ryan Quigley and promoted quarterback Zac Dysert and wide receiver Brittan Golden from the practice squad to the active roster. Colts shake up defense: The Colts released cornerback Antonio Cromartie and waived inside linebacker Sio Moore after both started the first four games.
Cromartie was benched last weekend after drawing two penalties in a four-play sequence and became ex- pendable as the Colts’ top three cornerbacks returned to health. Moore, acquired from the Raiders last season, had 31 tackles. Pouncey back on field: Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey returned to practice after missing the first four games of the season because of a broken left hip that raised concerns about the future of his career. It was his third hip injury since 2014.
“Talking to the doctors, all the what-ifs came into play,” Pouncey said before practice. “You start questioning how long you can play in the league. I’m fortunate to be back as fast as I am.” Joeckel going on IR: Jaguars left guard Luke Joeckel, the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, will undergo surgery on his left knee this week and be placed on injured reserve. Joeckel was hurt Sunday against the Colts.
Under the NFL’s new IR rules, the Jaguars can decide in six weeks whether to bring Joeckel back after Week 12 or shut him down for the rest of the season. Extra points: Former Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich is facing new drug charges after he allegedly was seen trying to enter a stranger’s home naked. Prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges of trespassing, public nudity and possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He could be incarcerated for up to three years if convicted. ... The Bills have signed a five-year agreement to continue holding training camp at St. John Fisher College in suburban Rochester, N.Y.