National Football League

Brady practices with Pats after crash

Published Sep. 10, 2010 2:05 a.m. ET

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Tom Brady went through his usual stretching. Then he threw passes.

Less than seven hours after being involved in a two-car crash near his home in Boston's Back Bay on Thursday, all appeared normal as Brady practiced with the New England Patriots for Sunday's season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The star quarterback lay on his back on the field, his hands under his helmet. He raised his left leg high, then did the same with his right leg. Then the two-time Super Bowl MVP stood up and ran about 40 yards to one end of the field and began throwing.

There were eight high lobs to receivers running along the right side, then eight to the left. Then he tossed eight soft liners to the right and did the same to the left.

''I was hoping, obviously, that he was OK,'' outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain said. ''I saw him walking in. He had a smile on his face, no abrasions, so I think he's fine.''

Brady participated in a walkthrough practice at 10:45 a.m., about hour hours after the crash. Then he was on the field with his teammates, all in full uniform, for the full practice shortly after 1 p.m. During the 11-minute media access period, he went through his usual activities.

Players were told by coach Bill Belichick that Brady might be late because of the accident but ''he didn't make it seem like it was anything serious,'' Banta-Cain said.

A passenger in the other vehicle involved in the crash went to a hospital with injuries that were serious but not considered life-threatening, officials said.

''Your thoughts go, 'I hope he (Brady) is OK and everybody involved is OK,''' center Dan Koppen said, ''and once you find out everybody is OK, you just move on from there.''

Brady is coming off an outstanding season in which he threw for 4,398 yards, second most in his career. His 28 touchdown passes tied for second. In 2008, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener. He played late last season with finger and rib injuries but appeared healthy and was very productive during the preseason.

''We're all preparing like we have been all week,'' tight end Rob Gronkowski said. ''He's fine, which we're all thankful for.''

The accident sent many reporters who usually don't cover the Patriots to Gillette Stadium. Brady, who only speaks to the media on Wednesdays, wasn't in the locker room during the 45 minutes in which reporters and cameras were allowed inside. Belichick had no news conference scheduled for Thursday and didn't address the crash publicly.

''He's here. He's ready to go,'' tight end Alge Crumpler said before the afternoon practice. ''I think everybody's worried outside this locker room, but I wouldn't be worried about it.''

Brady is in the last season of a six-year, $57.3 million contract and would like a new deal before Sunday's opener.

On Wednesday, he was asked whether, assuming a new contract is finalized, he's excited about playing for the Patriots for a long time.

''I don't assume anything anymore in life. I don't think anything's really guaranteed to us beyond what we have today,'' Brady answered.

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