The New England Patriots can't count on a successful appeal of Tom Brady's suspension, which was reinstated Monday for the first four games of the 2016 season.
Gabe Feldman, director of the Tulane Sports Law Program, told NFL Network on Monday that Brady's chances of being granted another appeal -- and winning it -- are low.
"I think Tom Brady's first step might be to try to get a stay to try to get the suspension put on pause essentially while this continues to wind its way through the courts," Feldman said. "But Tom Brady's next step is to make an en banc appeal to ask the entire second circuit to hear that -- those are very rarely granted. And even more rare is the Supreme Court to hear this case. So Tom Brady is almost out of chances. I think any chance he has left is very slim."
Brady was originally suspended for violating the NFL policy on the integrity of the game after independent investigator Ted Wells found that it was "more probable than not" that the quarterback was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" regarding the deflation of Patriots footballs used in the January 2015 AFC Championship Game against the Colts.
The Patriots were also fined $1 million and forfeit a 2016 first-round draft pick and 2017 fourth-round selection for the offense.
New England will open the season with 2014 second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo under center versus the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans and Bills.
