Brady Practices, Expected to Play

Ian Logue

Sep 3, 2008 at 4:00am ET

FOXBORO, MA -- It appears that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will finally take the field on Sunday.

After missing the first four preseason games with what was finally reported on Wednesday by WEEI to be a broken bone in his foot, according to the team's injury report Brady reportedly took part in the team's afternoon practice.

The severity of the injury was reported on Dennis & Callahan Wednesday morning, with Brady previously having been reported as having a "deep bone bruise" in his right foot. However according to the report an MRI he had in August revealed the injury.

The good news it doesn't look like that will keep him off the field when it counts, as according to head coach Bill Belichick Brady is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs for the Patriots home opener this Sunday.

"He's practicing and I expect he'll be ready to go," Belichick told the Kansas city media during his conference call on Wednesday when asked about Brady's status. "I expect him to be out there today and I expect he'll be out there the rest of the week."

The cause of Brady's foot injury is still unknown, but he said during his press conference on Monday that his right foot has improved and he could have played in all four exhibition games. The quarterback was also listed on the injury report (as he's been for the past several years) with a shoulder injury.

The veteran quarterback has an impressive streak on the line. Brady has started 127 straight games since taking over as a starter for former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe back in 2001, which is the third longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history.

WATSON IN DOUBT?

For the most part the Patriots are in good shape injury-wise heading into the regular season, but one name that did stand out on Wednesday's injury report was tight end Ben Watson, who didn't participate in the team's practice. Watson, who is listed with a knee injury, has had a tough time with injuries since being drafted by the team in 2004, and is also battling back from ankle surgery he had back in March. For the full injury report CLICK HERE

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?

While it may not mean much, New England has historically done well against the Cheifs in Foxboro. The Patriots are 5-2 all-time in regular season games (1-0 at Gillette Stadium, 4-2 at Foxboro) and haven't lost to Kansas City at home since 12/2/90 when they were defeated 37-7 at Foxboro Stadium.

One interesting note is that each of the last five games has been settled by eight points or less. During Kansas City's first trip to Gillette Stadium, New England allowed the Chiefs to rebound from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit which sent the game into overtime. The Patriots won the toss and went on to win 41-38.