The Rotten Beef Blog

Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, is expected to miss the rest of the 2008 NFL season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, according to a source familiar with the injury.

New England coach Bill Belichick said at his postgame press conference that he had no update on the status of Brady’s injury, although two sources indicated it involved serious damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) in his left knee.

Patriot’s QB Tom Brady injured

According to a team source, they said, “It’s bad. We’re going to have to play without him.”

Brady was hurt as he stepped into the pocket to make a pass to receiver Randy Moss. Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, lunged forward and struck Brady’s leg, which buckled as he released the ball.

Brady was helped off the field and was later led down a staircase by team officials, presumably to undergo tests.

Fourth-year quarterback Matt Cassel, replaced Brady and completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Cassel, who had thrown just 39 passes in his career before Sunday, backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC. He hasn’t been a starting quarterback since high school. He won a competition with Matt Gutierrez during the preseason to retain the job as Brady’s primary backup.

Two former New England quarterbacks, Doug Flutie and Vinny Testaverde, who know the offense and are very durable, have not been contacted according to reports. Why? Who knows. Either one of those two QB’s would be suitable backups or replacements in my opinion.