Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has upheld his "no practice, no play" rule through myriad excuses, some legitimate and some not.
But it sounds like not even Tom Brady will get a free pass from his head coach.
Per NFL Media's Stacey Dales, Brady is highly unlikely to take the field on Thursday night against the Packers in the team's preseason opener, per multiple sources who know Belichick.
The four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback missed practice on Tuesday, a day before Wednesday's settlement conference with Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York presided by Judge Richard Berman. Brady and the league are looking to find a middle ground in the QB's four-game suspension.
Berman also has set an Aug. 19 date for both parties to meet again and either continue to conference or hear oral arguments.
Though this is not likely Belichick's way of punishing Brady -- he has been relatively present in the quarterback's corner from the first mention of "deflategate" -- this provides a convenient excuse for the coach to strengthen a punishment that has enveloped stars like Darrelle Revis in the past. Revis once was told to stay home from practice due to tardiness.
It also gives Belichick more opportunities to prep probable Week 1 starter Jimmy Garoppolo.
Update:Tom Brady said on his Facebook on Thursday "Good to be HOME! Helmet is on ... I'll see you tonight Gillette Stadium!!!"
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