Talks continued between the NFL and representatives for Tom Brady in Manhattan on Thursday, according to court documents obtained by NFL Media's Albert Breer.
Per the documents, the meeting was between counsel only, meaning that Commissioner Roger Goodell and Brady were not present.
Both sides are directed to continue settlement discussions among themselves and/or with Magistrate Judge James Francis and/or the court, according to the documents. The next settlement conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 am ET. Brady and Goodell are not required to attend.
Brady, who will be on hand for the New England Patriots' preseason opener Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is not expected to play. The quarterback is expected to be at the Patriots' joint practice with the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 20.
Wednesday's initial meeting lasted roughly 7 1/2 hours. NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith called it a "productive day in court," in a brief statement.
Wednesday's proceedings, among other things, featured New York Federal Court Judge Richard Berman asking questions regarding direct evidence linking Brady to the deflation of footballs. Berman also asked why Patriots employees would purposefully deflate footballs without the quarterback knowing about it.
"He's the one who throws the ball," Berman said.
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