New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, left, speaks with quarterbacks Tom Brady (12) and Brian Hoyer (2) during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Steven Senne
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Steven Senne
FOXBOROUGH (AP) — The Patriots say quarterback Tom Brady did not attend a scheduled AFC championship news conference Wednesday because he was meeting with the team medical staff for a right hand injury.
According to New England’s first injury report of the week, Brady was a limited participant in the practice held earlier in the day.
It was the Patriots’ first practice in preparation for Sunday’s conference title game against Jacksonville. Defensive lineman Alan Branch and running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead also were limited by knee injuries.
Brady appeared on the Patriots’ weekly injury report several times during the latter half of the regular season with both an Achilles tendon and left shoulder injury.
The 40-year-old has never missed a playoff start during his 18-year career.
Jags practice minus Gipson, Omameh
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson and guard Patrick Omameh missed practice Wednesday.
Gipson sat out because of a foot injury suffered in last weekend’s victory at Pittsburgh. Omameh was held out of because of an undisclosed illness.
Running back Leonard Fournette (ankle), defensive tackle Malik Jackson (ankle) and safety Barry Church (shoulder) were limited participants. Fournette tweaked his right ankle in the second quarter against the Steelers, but later returned and finished with 109 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
All of the injuries are considered minor, and the five players are expected to return to practice Thursday or Friday.
Boston honors
pioneer O’Ree
BOSTON (AP) — Hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree was honored in Boston on Wednesday on the 60th anniversary of the Bruins forward breaking the NHL’s color barrier.
At a news conference at the TD Garden before the Bruins game against the Montreal Canadiens, Mayor Marty Walsh declared Jan. 18, 2018 to be “Willie O’Ree Day.” O’Ree made his debut in 1958 during a 3-0 victory against the Canadiens at the Forum in Montreal.
Walsh called O’Ree a Boston legend who changed the city for the better and thanked him for his courage. As part of the celebration, the city dedicated a new street hockey rink in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood to be known as Willie O’Ree Rink.
A native of Canada, O’Ree, 82, had four goals and 10 assists in 45 games over parts of two NHL seasons. He spent a total of 21 years in pro hockey.
For the past two decades, O’Ree has served as the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, spreading the message that hockey is for everyone.
Anthem singer
Rancourt to retire
BOSTON (AP) — Rene Rancourt, the tuxedoed troubadour who has sung the national anthem before Boston Bruins games for more than 40 years, announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season.
The 78-year-old trained opera singer began singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Red Sox games and took over the U.S. and Canadian anthems at Bruins games during the 1975-76 season. He ends his performance with a signature fist pump he modeled after Bruins forward Randy Burridge.
Rancourt performed the anthem on April 17, 2013, for the first sporting event in the city after the Boston Marathon bombing. He sang the first few words and then allowed the crowd to take over.
