Tom Brady returns to Patriots, plays in preseason game
Tom Brady appeared in New England's first preseason game the day after appearing in court for a settlement hearing with the NFL.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick normally does not allow players to play in games after missing practice, but made an exception for the embattled quarterback, who faces a four-game suspension from the league for his alleged role in the Deflategate scandal in last season's AFC championship game against the Colts.
Brady started and played the first two series, completing one of four passes for 10 yards. Jimmy Garoppolo, who is slated to begin the season as the starter in his stead, replaced him in the game.
• McCANN: Legal takeaways from Brady hearing
Brady and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did not reach a settlement during the Deflategate hearing before Manhattan Federal Court Judge Richard Berman on Wednesday. Goodell denied Brady's original appeal of the suspension in July, citing Brady's lack of cooperation with the investigation conducted by Ted Wells and evidence he said “fully supports” that Brady had at least some knowledge of a scheme. The NFL Players Association sued the NFL two days later, still seeking to overturn Brady's suspension.
Brady and Goodell will reportedly have another settlement talkfollowing the hearing. The two parties could remain in talks until Sept. 4, when Berman is expected to cut off discussion and issue an order.
- Jeremy Woo
