When Tom Brady suits up for the Buccaneers’ Week 3 matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, the seven-time Super Bowl champion may not be at 100 percent.
The star quarterback revealed Monday that he injured his right ring finger in Tampa Bay’s Week 2 win over the Saints, but he downplayed the severity of the ailment during the week. Although the plan has been for Brady to take Wednesday practices off this season, he was a full participant every day this week.
On Thursday, in the portion of the practice that was open to the media, Brady was seen shaking his right throwing hand several times, creating cause for concern about his health going into the matchup with Green Bay. The Bucs included Brady in their Friday injury report.
How serious is Brady’s finger injury, and is he in danger of missing Sunday’s game? The Sporting News has answers below.
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Tom Brady injury update
Brady revealed Monday on his “Let’s Go!” podcast that he injured his right ring finger in the Buccaneers’ Week 2 win over the Saints.
“I banged it up pretty good, but it didn’t affect me at all in the game,” Brady said. “Just going to be sore throughout the week, but one of those bumps and bruises that comes along with playing.”
He also spoke about (and displayed) the injury in a video to select fan club members.
“I wanted to do something special for the Signature holders, so check this out. I’m doing this just for you guys, members of the Huddle,” he said as he showed them the injured digit (per The Athletic, subscription required).
Brady practiced in full throughout the week, but he appeared bothered by the injury at practice Thursday, leading to questions about how it might affect him in Sunday’s matchup with the Packers.
“Great. I feel great,” Brady sarcastically told the media when asked about his finger.
“It’s football season,” he quipped.
No finger soreness here pic.twitter.com/fafTjth9Qp
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) September 22, 2022
On Friday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles backed the notion that his starting quarterback is fine, saying, “He’s ready to go. He’s full practice [on Friday]. He took every throw.” But the Bucs did add Brady to their injury report after practice, listing him as a full participant.
Brady hasn’t had his best start to the season despite Tampa Bay’s 2-0 record. He threw for less than 200 yards and just one touchdown in the season opener against Dallas, and then followed that performance with 212 yards on only 27 passing attempts, with one touchdown and one interception, vs. the Saints.
While a great part of the reason could simply be a lack of weapons — Chris Godwin was injured in Week 1 and has not returned, while Mike Evans was ejected in Week 2 and will be suspended for Week 3 — is it possible that Brady himself isn’t at 100 percent?
His injury will certainly be something to monitor when the Buccaneers host the Packers on Sunday.
Tom Brady hand injury history
Brady has dealt with worse hand injuries in the past. Most notably, he almost missed the 2019 AFC championship game against the Jaguars with an injury that eventually required surgery.
“I thought this injury was going to be the end of my career,” Brady said of his thumb laceration, despite throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Patriots back to the Super Bowl.
He played through another thumb injury with the Bucs last season. In Week 5 against the Dolphins, he slammed his hand against a defender’s helmet while following through on a throw.
Brady was unfazed. He threw for 411 yards and four touchdowns, and the injury didn’t cause him to miss any time.
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