NEW YORK, United States (AFP) – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady missed practice Thursday because of a right hand injury, increasing worries for supporters ahead of Sunday’s NFL home playoff showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A day after Brady reportedly jammed his throwing hand but suffered no structural damage after someone accidentally ran into him during a workout, the 40-year-old US superstar was present only for the start of training.
Brady’s contribution to the session was as a gridiron version of “Tommy Two Gloves,” the nickname given US PGA veteran Tommy Gainey for playing with wet weather gloves on each hand.
Five-time Super Bowl champion Brady wore red gloves on both his hands during the start of Thursday’s early session, but did not throw a pass during the 15 minutes when media were allowed to view the workout.
According to the Patriots injury report, Brady did not participate in the remainder of the practice session. A scheduled media session with Brady was delayed for a second consecutive day, now set for Friday.
While it does open questions about how hurt Brady might be ahead of the American Conference showdown, Brady has missed practices before weekend games before and still been deadly to opponents on Sunday.
The Patriots will entertain the Jaguars with the winner advancing to Super Bowl 52 on February 4 at Minneapolis, Minnesota, against either the Philadelphia Eagles or Minnesota Vikings.
Brady won his fourth Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award last February, rallying the Patriots from a 25-point second-half deficit in a 34-28 over-time triumph over the Atlanta Falcons.
Brian Hoyer, a journeyman after serving as Brady’s backup from 2009 to 2011, is again Brady’s number two after signing a three-year contract in November after being released by San Francisco when the 49ers obtained Jimmy Garoppolo, Brady’s prior backup, in a trade with New England.
Hoyer, 32, had been with Pittsburgh, Arizona, Cleveland, Houston, Chicago and the 49ers before returning to the Patriots. (Agence France-Presse)