Tom Brady joined his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates on Monday, ending what was described as a pre-arranged 11-day break from training camp for personal reasons.
A seven-time Super Bowl winner, Brady did not meet the media after practice. Teammates and head coach Todd Bowles say the 45-year-old quarterback threw his passes with aplomb and, in effect, picked up where he left off when he left the team Aug. 11.
“If anyone can pull through after an 11-day break in training camp, it’s Tom,” tight end Cameron Brate said.
“It came back and was running full throttle again. We’re all excited to have him back and ready to move forward.”
During his absence, Brady missed two preseason games in which, Bowles noted, he would not have participated had he remained in the team entourage.
The Buccaneers head coach said the break had been planned long before training camp began last month.
“His presence is different because of his leadership qualities, the kind of guy he is,” linebacker Lavonte David said. “It’s very good that a guy like him is back. He came back ready to pick up where he left off.
During Brady’s absence, number one backup Blaine Gabbert and third quarterback Kyle Trask shared the heavy lifting in practice and in preseason games against the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. , duels that the Buccaneers lost.
Bowles also said it hasn’t been decided if — or for how long — Brady will play in the Buccaneers’ final preseason game Saturday in Indianapolis against the Colts.
Brady’s return comes as the Buccaneers continue to deal with injuries to their offensive line, which could rely on at least two new starters in the Sept. 11 opener.
Center Ryan Jensen suffered a knee injury on the second day of training camp and left guard Aaron Stinnie will miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury last weekend against the Titans.