New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did not participate in practice Tuesday, but he apparently has scrapped plans to attend Wednesday’s hearing in New York regarding his appeal of his four-game suspension from Deflategate.
Brady originally had planned to miss another day of practice and attend Wednesday’s hearing. But, according to USA Today, when Tuesday’s proceedings brought no movement in a possible settlement between Brady and the NFL, Brady decided he would return to practice with the Patriots on Wednesday.
Brady had missed last Tuesday’s practice before attending settlement hearings in New York District Court on August 12. So the suspicion was that he would do the same this time and attend Wednesday’s hearing to show the court how important the matter was to him.
Brady was suspended four games for alleged knowledge of intentional reduction of football air pressure in the AFC Championship game in January. He also was uncooperative in the opinion of the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell during independent investigator Ted Wells’ search for details. Goodell said in his decision to uphold the four-game suspension after hearing Brady’s appeal on June 23 that Brady intentionally destroyed a cell phone on or shortly after being asked for access to the device.
Attendance was required for Brady and Goodell last week, but Judge Richard Berman said neither party must be at Wednesday’s session. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether Goodell would be in attendance.
“We are not going to comment on our attendees in advance of tomorrow’s hearing,” the NFL said in a statement.
To date, settlement talks have not advanced because Brady is unwilling to admit guilt.
Berman asked both sides challenging, direct questions during the August 12 session and oversaw more talks the next day.
Patriots acquire TE Cleveland
Backup tight end Asante Cleveland will be traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the New England Patriots for offensive guard Jordan Devey pending physical examinations.
The two sides are expected to complete the deal for Cleveland, undrafted in 2014, Tuesday night.
Cleveland would be the seventh tight end on the 90-man roster for the Patriots.
Devey, 27, played guard and tackle at Memphis and was on the practice squad of the Ravens and Patriots the past two seasons.
The Washington Redskins were among the teams looking for tight end depth even after signing two players and showing interest in 33-year-old Chris Cooley, out of football for two seasons, this week.
Cleveland was unlikely to make the 53-man roster with Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald and rookie Blake Bell competing for time in addition to veteran Derek Carrier and rookie Busta Anderson.