Rob Maaddi, FISM News
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Tom Brady is back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following an 11-day absence, ending speculation about his immediate future with the team.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion returned to practice Monday after taking an unusual break during training camp for “personal reasons.” The team said his time away was already planned before camp.
On the field, it was the same old No. 12.
“He’s very familiar with the offense, so him coming back in and us getting back to work is kind of normal,” coach Todd Bowles said. “Just getting used to the heat and getting used to the guys, but he ran the offense well.”
Brady didn’t miss a beat connecting with his receivers.
“I’m sure wherever Tom was, he was working out still and getting his reps in,” tight end Cameron Brate said. “If anyone can get away with an 11-day break during training camp, it’s Tom. He came back firing on all cylinders again. We are all excited he’s back, and we are ready to move on with that.”
It’s still not known where Brady went, though one report said he was in the Bahamas with his wife, Gisele Bundchen, and his family. Brady poked fun at rumors that he was filming “The Masked Singer.”
“Wasn’t on the masked singer last week. Was wearing a mask though,” he wrote on Twitter.
Tom Brady doesn't show up to work for a couple of weeks and it's a "cool, fun mystery", but when I don't show up to work for a couple of weeks I'm "fired" and an "embarrassment to the family".
— Jeff Greenwood (@TheFantasyEng) August 19, 2022
Brady didn’t speak with reporters after practice. Bowles said conditioning is what Brady missed most during his time off.
“He’s a film junkie. I’m sure he’s watched tape of everything,” Bowles said. “So (it’s) him coming back in, picking up where he left off, just getting used to the mechanics again.”
Brady, who turned 45 earlier this month, has maintained a positive attitude during a strange summer. The Miami Dolphins were penalized for tampering with him twice over the past three years.
“He’s been great, same as when he left. He’s been fine,” Bowles said.
Despite the mystery surrounding Brady’s departure, Bowles said his absence wasn’t a distraction.
“We pretty much keep distractions out of our locker room. It wasn’t a big deal to us because everybody knew what was going on,” Bowles said.
Veteran quarterback Blaine Gabbert and second-year pro Kyle Trask took the snaps with Brady gone. Brate said his absence made for a noticeable difference at practice.
“It was definitely weird. Tom is such like an omnipresent being, he’s like the unquestioned leader of the team,” Brate said.
For him to not be there for 11 days, it was kind of a good opportunity for other guys to step up and fill that void. It was different. Tom is usually kind of cussing guys up and down the field when we’re messing up, but we didn’t really have that. It was different, but I thought some of the other veterans stepped up. I thought Blaine did a good job commanding the first team offense while Tom was out.
Even Tampa’s defensive players welcomed Brady’s return.
“It’s always nice to have Tom back, man,” linebacker Devin White said. “His presence is different, just the leader that he is, the type of guy he is. You know, it’s great to have a guy like that back, man. I’m sure he’s ready to work. He came back ready to pick up where he left off and leading the guys on offense.”
The Buccaneers suffered another important loss while Brady was out. Guard Aaron Stinnie tore two knee ligaments and will miss the rest of the season. Tampa already lost Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen for a significant length of time because of a major knee injury.
Bowles didn’t rule out signing a veteran offensive lineman, but the Buccaneers are pleased with the depth they have.
“We like our in-house options but there’s got to be a player available for us to like to add a player,” he said. “We’re not just going to sign one to sign one. There’s nothing out there for us to sign, but at the same time we’re comfortable with the guys we have right now.”