Brady sits out with hand injury
Tom Brady has never missed a playoff start during his 18- year NFL career, and no one sounds too worried that he’ll be sidelined for the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Nonetheless, after Brady sat out the Patriots’ practice Thursday — and did not speak to reporters as scheduled — there was plenty of speculation about the 40- year- old quarterback’s health.
Brady sat out with an injured right hand after being limited by the same issue a day earlier as New England prepares for its matchup with Jacksonville. He suffered the injury in a minor collision in practice.
Brady wore a glove on the injured hand during the stretching portion of practice that was open to reporters. He usually wears a glove only on his non- throwing hand. He was listed as a non- participant on the injury report, and his news conference was postponed until Friday.
Steelers promote QB coach to OC
The Steelers didn’t look very far for offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s replacement, promoting longtime quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner to the position, four days after a divisional- round playoff loss to the Jaguars.
The 54- year- old Fichtner has been an assistant with Pittsburgh since 2007 and spent the last eight seasons as quarterbacks coach, developing a strong rapport with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He last called plays while serving as offensive coordinator at Memphis from 2001 to ’ 06.
Falcons keep OC Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian will return as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator despite a decline in production in his debut season.
Sarkisian has been the target of criticism as the Falcons, who lost at Philadelphia in the divisional round of the playoffs last week, fell short of a return trip to the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said reaching an agreement on a contract extension with quarterback Matt Ryan will be “the No. 1 focus” of the offseason.
Rams’ McVay earns honor
Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in modern NFL history, was named Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.
The Rams finished 11- 5 in McVay’s first season, winning their first division title since 2003 and becoming the first team in the Su- per Bowl era to go from last to first in scoring in consecutive years. McVay, who turns 32 on Wednesday, inherited a franchise coming off 10 consecutive losing seasons and led it to a plus- 149 point differential.
This and that
Vikings receiver Adam Thielen ( lower back) returned to practice but was limited. Safety Andrew Sendejo, who remains in concussion protocol, also was limited.
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette ( ankle) was limited at practice but insists he’ll play.
The Titans kicked off their search for a new coach by interviewing two defensive coordinators, the Texans’ Mike Vrabel and the Panthers’ Steve Wilks.
Former Raiders coach Tom Cable is back on the staff to coach the offensive line.
The Broncos are “looking into’’ a report that receiver Emmanuel Sanders was the focus of a felony sexual- assault investigation in Harris County, Texas.