Tom Brady won’t play in Buccaneers' preseason opener vs. Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins were recently stripped of a pair of draft picks for tampering with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton when both were under contract with different organizations. 

Brady, who turned 45 Wednesday, will soon see the Dolphins, but he won't be competing against them in a game that matters little for the future Hall of Famer.

According to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Wednesday that Brady will not play when Tampa Bay opens the preseason versus the Dolphins at home on Aug. 13. It's assumed backup Blaine Gabbert will get the start for the Buccaneers that Saturday evening. 

Brady is widely viewed as the G.O.A.T. and possesses seven Super Bowl championship rings heading into what may be his final campaign as an active player, but he nevertheless has a history of participating in preseason games. Per Williams, Brady played six snaps in Tampa Bay's first preseason game last August and then played 18 snaps in the summer's final warmup contest. 

In total, Brady completed 12-of-16 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown last preseason. 

Later this month, the Buccaneers will play at the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 20 and will then be at the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 27. Brady's status for those matchups is unknown at this time.