Tom Brady's Knee Injury Could Add To Patriots Woes When They Play The Jets

TheSportster

By Gene Kosowan

Published Nov 22, 2018

For the first time this season, Brady reported to practice with an injury. The Patriots pivot suffered a knee ailment during their most recent game.

In this Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady watches from the sideline after leaving the game in the second half of the Patriots' 34-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. Brady finds himself in the throes of some of his worst passing numbers in three seasons as the Patriots head into their bye week. What’s unclear is whether it’s been an aberration or the first signs of decline for the 41-year-old. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)

For the first time this season, Tom Brady reported to practice with an injury. The New England Patriots pivot suffered a knee ailment during their most recent game, which they lost to Tennessee on Week 10 of the NFL regular season.

It took place when Brady called a trick play, with wide receiver Julian Edelman taking the QB role. He lobbed it to Brady, who stumbled once he caught it and took a hit on a play that resulted in a seven-yard gain. It's that same trick play the Patriots attempted during Super Bowl LII, which Brady bobbled, a partial reason why the opposing Philadephia Eagles won the final.

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Brady had limited action during practice on Wednesday at their site in Foxborough, although he's expected to play against the New York Jets, a road game taking place this Sunday. If he suits up, that will be one bright spot on a battered Patriots offense that's seen nearly a half-dozen personnel sidelined with injuries.

More good news include the return of tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of Brady's favorite targets, who's been off the field for weeks with a combination of ankle and back injuries. Edelman, nursing an injured foot, is also expected back on Sunday after playing a full practice, while offensive guard Shaq Mason and running back Sony Michel — both out during last week's bye with various leg injuries — will also likely be cleared to take on the Jets. Only tight end Dwayne Allen, sidelined with a knee injury, is questionable.

They'll likely dominate the Jets, who are last in the division, but even when they were healthy, the Pats dropped games against low performers Detroit and Jacksonville, raising questions about their consistency. The big picture, however, is whether the New England dynasty is starting to tremble in the wake of emerging juggernaut squads like the Chiefs, Rams, and Saints.

With Brady currently playing in his 19th season, the wear and tear are starting to show on a player who's still remarkably accurate in his 40s, although his yardage numbers are down. It also hasn't helped that the offensive line isn't as robust as it used to be with Brady frequently forced out of the pocket and getting sacked 16 times this season, including three against Tennessee.

What This Means

Fortunately for the Pats, they're still on top of the AFC East division with a 7-3 record, although it's not exactly one of the most competitive divisions in the league, given the .500 performance of the Dolphins and the sad-sack output of the Bills and Jets. It's not likely New England will miss playing in the post-season, a situation they haven't experienced since 2008.

That said, considering the outstanding play of AFC division leaders Houston, Pittsburgh and red-hot Kansas City, don't count on the Patriots enjoying a luxury bye week during the wild-card rounds, which could deprive them of valuable recovery time if injuries continue. They'll also need a great deal of luck to land a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.