New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady suffered what some preliminary reports are deeming a serious knee injury in practice on Wednesday, putting his availability and the team’s prospects in instant doubt.
According to reports, Brady was injured during a joint scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when the passing pocket collapsed on him and a lineman apparently fell on his left knee. Sources say Brady was wearing a red jersey, signaling all hands off, at the time of the incident.
A fan’s video appears to show Bucs defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn push Patriots offensive linemen Nate Solder into Brady’s leg just after he threw a pass. Brady immediately went down holding his leg and later limped to the sidelines.
After practice, Clayborn told reporters he was bull-rushing Solder on the play Brady was injured, and that it was his teammate who fell back into him.
"You always have to stay away from the quarterback but if you have a guy on his heels, my instinct is to keep going," Clayborn said after the practice session.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick was not available for comment after practice, but Bucs coach Greg Schiano said he told his team not to touch the quarterback.
"Coach Belichick and I stressed to our teams: Let them throw the football," Schiano said. "Rush the passer, but go by them and don't get around them. I can't tell you more because I didn't see what happened."
Brady missed the 2008 season after tearing the ACL on that same left knee in the first quarter of play in Week 1 against Kansas City. After Ryan Mallett, Tim Tebow is listed as the top quarterback reserve on the Patriots' roster.
