Glove on hurting hand, Tom Brady is at practice but doesn't participate
By JEFF HOWE
Boston Herald
January 19. 2018 2:03AM
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks with backup quarterback Brian Hoyer during practice on Wednesday - apparently before Brady injured his hand. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Patriots need a glove doctor.
Quarterback Tom Brady was present at practice Thursday, an encouraging sign a day after he jammed his right hand in a collision with a running back. However, Brady didn't participate in the workout, according to the Patriots' injury report that designates a player's participation level during team drills.
Brady atypically wore red gloves on both hands. He noted as recently as last month that a glove on his throwing hand "didn't go too well" earlier in his career. Brady usually wears a glove on his left hand during colder practices and games but ditched the righty glove years ago.
While dissecting nearly every photographed angle of Brady's right hand, it appeared he may have worn a splint or extra tape on his thumb, but that wasn't a complete certainty.
Brady needed an X-ray on his hand Wednesday after his injury at practice, during which he jammed his hand, though there was no structural damage, according to sources. He will play Sunday in the AFC Championship Game against the Jaguars, according to those sources.
His presence for Thursday's workout was still important. The medical staff wanted to assess the swelling in the hand in the initial 24 hours, so his presence -- rather than ongoing treatment inside the facility -- could be perceived as a positive sign. Plus, if the swelling needed to be monitored, it wouldn't make a lot of sense to put him in position to aggravate the hand.
Brady didn't attempt any passes during the media period. He also canceled his scheduled news conference for the second consecutive day. Brady is now expected to meet with the media this afternoon.
