Todd Bowles reveals when Tom Brady will return to Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star quarterback Tom Brady missed another practice on Thursday for personal reasons. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation after practice concluded and revealed that Brady won't be with the team for at least the next 10 days or so.

The earliest Brady will return is after the Aug. 20 preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. This absence was apparently discussed before training camp:

#Bucs HC Todd Bowles told reporters that Tom Brady is going to be away for the next 10 days or so due to a personal matter. Bowles says this is something that was discussed before camp started.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 11, 2022

The Buccaneers have been practicing with the Miami Dolphins ahead of their preseason game this weekend. It was revealed over a week ago that Tom Brady wouldn't play in the preseason opener, to nobody's surprise.

The timing of this Brady absence could be seen as somewhat suspicious given the Dolphins' recent punishment for tampering with the future Hall of Fame quarterback. While Bowles is claiming this was a preplanned absence, some will surely not believe him. Brady wasn't punished after the tampering investigation.

Of course, Tom Brady is 45 years old and the best quarterback of all time. It's not like he needs all of training camp and the preseason to get ready for the season. It's not all that surprising he's taking some time off before the regular season begins, especially after he retired briefly before deciding to return to Tampa Bay.

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For now, we should take Bowles at his word on this Tom Brady situation. The coach is confident his quarterback will be good to go for Week 1 of the regular season and isn't worried about the missed time:

Asked about his level of confidence that Brady will start in Week 1 at Dallas, Bowles said: "Mine's pretty high." Asked later to clarify any doubt that would suggest: "There's no doubt. Obviously there's always going to be doubt, but I have a pretty high level of confidence."

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 11, 2022

Asked if Brady not being here and not committed to practicing in full with the team would worry him about his ability to continue playing at a high level, Bowles said: "Per our conversation, I am not worried."

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 11, 2022

Of course, this is still something to monitor as the preseason moves along and we get closer to the start of the regular season in September.