If New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady seemed off his game following a third-quarter sack by Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in Super Bowl XLVI, then a Wednesday report in the Boston Herald might have some of the answers Patriots fans are looking for.
The Herald reported Wednesday that Brady aggravated an earlier left shoulder sprain on the play. The aggravation did not lead to further injury, according to the report, and Brady did not slip off the sideline for treatment. It's also not believed to be an injury that will require attention during the offseason.
With 6:12 remaining during the quarter, Tuck drove into a stumbling Brady, who landed hard on his left shoulder. Brady got to his feet slowly and made his way to the sideline, where he spoke briefly to members of the team's medical staff before he was eventually left alone to look at in-game photographs.
Brady didn't miss a snap, but it caused a few moments of concern for Patriots fans as backup Brian Hoyer warmed up on the sideline. After all, it was the same shoulder that caused Brady to miss a practice prior to the AFC Championship Game.
Whatever level of aggravation occurred, Brady played through it.
"I don't know if I'll ever meet someone as tough as he is," Hoyer remarked to the Herald.
Many will point out, however, that Brady's passing was noticeably off following the sack. He completed 7 of 17 passes the rest of the way during a second half that was marred by several critical drops and several inaccurate throws by Brady.
Prior to that point, Brady was 20-of-24 passing, including a Super Bowl record 16 straight completions spanning the second and third quarters. During the final drive of the first half, he completed all 10 of his attempts for 98 yards on a scoring drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead.
