Injury Report Cites Brady's ... Shoulder?

Jan 31, 05:00 AM

Jan. 31--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- New England quarterback Tom Brady was listed on the first injury report of Super Bowl week Wednesday, but not for the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the AFC championship game against San Diego.

Brady was listed as "full participation" (right shoulder) on the Patriots' injury report. But veteran Patriots observers say it's nothing unusual because Brady frequently is listed on the team's injury report with minor soreness in his throwing shoulder.

Brady participated in all phases of the team's two-hour practice at Sun Devil Stadium and moved better than he did Monday, according to a pool report. Brady did not have his ankle taped outside of his shoe and was not noticeably limping -- as was the case Monday.

The only other player listed on the New England injury report was wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, whose practice participation was limited Wednesday because of a shoulder injury.

GIANTS WORK

The New York Giants, who arrived a day later in the Phoenix area than New England, conducted their first Super Bowl week practice Wednesday at the Arizona Cardinals' facility.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress suited up but did not practice because of an ankle injury that has bothered him late in the season. Coach Tom Coughlin said Burress could get some work today.

Working on a limited basis Wednesday were cornerback Kevin Dockery, who has missed four of the past five games with a hip injury, and offensive guard Rich Seubert, who suffered a knee injury in the NFC title game. The Giants seem to be getting over the flu bug that has hit several members of the team over the past week.

SPEAKING OF PLAXICO

As might be expected, Burress was the center of attention Wednesday at the Giants' media session following his earlier prediction of a New York win over the heavily favored Patriots. Burress didn't back down Wednesday. "It's all entertainment," he said. "Look at how this has made national headlines. I've always been a confident player, and I'll always be that way and will continue to be that way."

As might be expected, Coughlin isn't amused. Coughlin said he plans to speak to Burress sometime this week on the subject -- "in a private way, and that's where it will remain."

Meanwhile, the quarterback of the highest-scoring team in NFL history -- Brady -- had just one complaint about Burress' predicted 23-17 Giants victory.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" Brady said, laughing. "Is 'Plax' playing defense?"

OFFICIALS NAMED

Referee Mike Carey heads the seven-man officiating crew selected to work the Super Bowl. It's the first Super Bowl assignment for Carey. A veteran of 18 NFL seasons, Carey was the referee in the regular-season finale between the Patriots and the Giants, a game won by New England 38-35. Both teams were called for five penalties in that game.

jthomas@post-dispatch.com -- 314-340-8197

-----

To see more of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stltoday.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. Injury Report Cites Brady's ... Shoulder?
Back to Current Headlines