Brady off the list

For the first time since the 2005 Super Bowl, Tom Brady was not listed on a New England Patriots practice participation or injury report yesterday, a sign that he is ready to start Sunday's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The quarterback, last year's NFL MVP, had a right foot injury and missed all four exhibition games.
Before last season, teams issued injury reports Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in which they listed which players were probable, questionable, doubtful or out of the upcoming game.

Then the NFL adopted a system in which such reports were issued only Friday; on Wednesday and Thursday, teams were required to issue reports of whether a player participated fully or partially in practice or not at all.

Wednesday's report said Brady participated fully and listed him with a shoulder and foot injury. Starting with the 2006 season opener and continuing through last season's Super Bowl - a 56-game span - he had been on the injury report but started every game.

The Patriots re-signed tight end Stephen Spach, three days after releasing him.

They also cut tight end Jason Pociask, who was signed to take Spach's spot on the roster. Pociask, who had been released by the New York Jets last week, was not at Thursday's workout and the team announced his release after it began.

Spach played three games for the Patriots after signing Dec. 13. Pociask has played in four games, all last season with the Jets.

The Patriots also signed punter Reggie Hodges to the practice squad and released tight end Tyson DeVree.