LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -Tom Brady took a hit, and his knee was just fine.
His shoulder? Not so much.
The New England Patriots say Brady has a sore right shoulder after getting crushed to the turf by the massive Albert Haynesworth in the New England Patriots’ 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Friday night.
It could be nothing. It might be something. Actually, anything that involves Brady is always something, especially in a season in which he’s trying to come back from a major knee injury.
“Anytime someone 350 pounds falls on him, it’s going to hurt him,” New England right tackle Matt Light said. “You just know it’s part of the game, and Tom’s been through it before and you know he can take it.”
Brady was hurt late in the first half when he was pressed to the ground by All-Pro defensive tackle Haynesworth after a third down incomplete pass. Brady went to the bench, where he flexed and rotated his throwing arm, trying to work out the kinks.
He did not play in the second half, even though most of the first-team offense returned for the first drive of the third quarter. He then left the sideline and returned to the locker room.
sore shoulder was announced, and that was all the Patriots were going to say.
Coach Bill Belichick was his classic self, squirming and shrugging as if he had a twitch in both shoulders. The coach said Brady had only “some bumps and bruises, just like everybody else who played in the game.” He also said that he had not planned for Brady to play any of the second half. Brady didn’t speak at all after the game.
If one assumes Brady is fine, he has to feel good about his performance. He and counterpart Jason Campbell put on a regular season show in preseason, combining for 359 yards, six scoring drives and no interceptions.
Brady went 12 for 19 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, both to Randy Moss. Campbell, under heavy scrutiny after a 4-for-13 start to the preseason, played the first half and first drive of the second half and finished 13 for 22 for 209 yards. He also ran for a score.
“I’m proud of him. He’s been catching a lot of flak,” Washington left tackle Chris Samuels said. “It’s almost like the media doesn’t want to see him do well – they’re always picking on him. But I tell you what, he’s a strong-minded guy, he’s a great athlete and he’s our leader.”
31-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining.
“Good, competitive game on the road,” Belichick said. “It was what we needed. Certainly a couple of things to build on.”
Packers 44, Cardinals 37
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Aaron Rodgers threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns to open a 28-point halftime lead, then the Green Bay reserves barely held off a Matt Leinart-led rally.
The Packers’ No. 1 offense had four touchdowns and a field goal in their six first-half possessions as Green Bay (3-0) rolled up 357 yards to take a 38-10 lead at the break. That gives the Packers’ first-team offense nine TDs and a field goal in 12 possessions.
The starters have not been forced to punt.
“I’m very pleased with what we were able to accomplish,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
Green Bay’s Charles Woodson had two sacks and forced three fumbles, one by Kurt Warner that was returned 24 yards by Aaron Kampman for a touchdown.
Leinart threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns in the second half for the Cardinals (0-3).
“It’s embarrassing what that team did to us in the first half,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Maybe this is a wakeup call for our guys.”
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