Last Friday, Tom Brady popped up on the injury report with a right elbow injury and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Actually playing never seemed to be in any doubt, but Sunday morning NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported the injury was significant enough that he had to leave practice early and rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham saw most of the first team reps.
Appearing on The Greg Hill Show Monday morning, Brady was asked how his throwing elbow is feeling.
"It's doing well. Thanks for asking. I appreciate it. Thank you," Brady said. "How did it look yesterday? I think it speaks for itself."
The 42-year-old went 17-for-37 passing with 190 yards and a touchdown in the 13-9 win over the Cowboys.
With Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and Phillip Dorsett (concussion) out of the lineup, rookies N'Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers were forced into big roles and both contributed. Harry caught the only touchdown of the game, while Meyers added four catches, including some important ones in key situations.
Brady praised Harry's attitude heading into the game.
"We were banged up with Phillip and Mohamed and it just looked like those guys were going to have to play a lot. Rather than feeling like, 'Oh man, I haven't played much and I'll be a little worried going out there,' he really approached it like he had been there all season," Brady said. "He made a lot of good plays in practice and improved on things that he had done and were corrected. I really love N'Keal's attitude. Jakobi did a great job, too.
"I think both those rookie receivers really answered the call. When you're put in that position and you don't have a lot of football under your belt, you're playing on a team that is competing for titles and so forth, there's a lot of pressure. Both those guys have embraced it, and I think Julian (Edelman) has really shown great leadership for that whole group. Hopefully if we can get everyone healthy, we can see what we can do."
Meyers has been particularly hard on himself all season when it comes to earning Brady's trust, but the quarterback seems to really like what he's bringing each and every day.
"He's done a great job," Brady said. "To come in as an undrafted free agent and make the plays that he made all spring and then make the plays that he's made this season — I think it's been so impressive. I can't say enough good things about Jakobi. He cares deeply about doing the right thing and you love to have teammates like that. I am so happy for him and the opportunities he's getting. He wants to do a great job. He wants to do everything right. He holds himself to a high standard. It's great to have him out there and great to see him doing good things for us."
The Patriots will take on the Texans next Sunday night in Houston.
