Patriots’ Tom Brady, Harvey Langi reportedly dealing with injuries

The New England Patriots’ thrilling come-from-behind victory against the visiting Washington Redskins happened without some of the team’s most prominent players active. Among them was starting quarterback Tom Brady, who continued his summer of relatively light action by taking not a single snap yesterday. However, the reason for that might not entirely be to preserve the league’s best quarterback.

According to the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride, Brady is also dealing with what appears to be a minor injury:

According to a league source, Tom Brady didn’t play in Thursday’s preseason win over the Redskins because he is dealing with a sore back. The quarterback has had a lighter workload in practice over the last week.

It is doubtful that Brady, who was in uniform yesterday, would have missed a regular or postseason game because of his back. Keeping him out of the first preseason contest is still a smart move: as minor as the injury might be, limiting the risk of any damage is the right thing to do in mid-August. It will be interesting to see how the 41-year old is used this week in practice, and how many snaps he plays during next week’s preseason game.

While Brady seems to be fine, another Patriot reportedly is not – at least in the short term: linebacker Harvey Langi, who could be out for the next few weeks because of an internal injury he suffered in practice (according to the Athletic’s Jeff Howe):

Harvey Langi took a hit to the side in practice that resulted in an internal laceration, according to a source. Due to a concern with his kidney, Langi isn’t expected to be cleared to return for at least 4-5 weeks. Brutal blow for the edge rusher off to a good start in camp.

Langi was a regular participant through the Patriots’ first nine training camp practices, but was a no-show the last two days. The reason apparently is injury related, which is another setback for Langi after he already missed most of his 2017 rookie season after a car accident. Last year, New England opted to put him on injured reserve – and it will be interesting to see how the Patriots decide to play this one.

The team could very much keep the 25-year old on their active roster until he is ready to return, like it will with first-round rookie Sony Michel. However, it could also place him on injured reserve if the issue appears to impact his long-term availability, with the possibility to reactivate him at a later point (if he is placed on IR after roster cutdown day).