Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady expected to start Buccaneers' preseason finale Saturday vs. Colts

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Aug 25, 2022 1:19 PM ET

Tom Brady has evidently looked " excellent" since returning from his famous, and mysterious , 11-day absence from Tampa Bay Buccaneers camp. The "GOAT" will have his first shot at showing off some of that excellence in live-game action on Saturday night when the Bucs close out their preseason slate.

#Bucs coach Todd Bowles on the decision to start Tom Brady in Saturday’s preseason finale at Indy. “Any player who is healthy will play,” he said. pic.twitter.com/mI0O94ZgUz
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 25, 2022

Bowles said it’s important for Brady to work with the offense line in some game situations. https://t.co/m5lOV6tFhr
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 25, 2022

Brady didn't practice on Wednesday, with Stroud describing it as a "veteran maintenance day," but according to Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times, the 45-year-old was back on the field Thursday.

While Tampa Bay brought back some familiar faces on Brady's offense, such as running back Leonard Fournette and wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the team has also saw legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski retire (again) and new wideout Russell Gage join the squad. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen also went down with a serious knee injury in late July and is out indefinitely.

The Buccaneers will travel to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 on "Sunday Night Football" at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sept. 11.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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