Tom Brady expected to play Saturday in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' preseason finale

TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is expected to play in Saturday's third and final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Coach Todd Bowles did not say it outright, but when asked Thursday if Brady will play, he responded, «Everyone who is healthy will play.»

Brady, who returned this week from an 11-day absence to tend to «personal issues» is healthy and practiced in full Thursday, as well as Monday and Tuesday, with a veteran day on Wednesday. He took his usual number of reps and looked strong and focused.

It will mark the first time Brady has played this preseason, the first time he's lined up with wide receiver Julio Jones in a game and the first time he'll stand behind a re-made interior offensive line featuring second-year center Robert Hainsey and rookie left guard Luke Goedeke in live action.

«It's important for game continuity,» Bowles said of seeing Brady with the starters. «We have some new guys on the o-line. We have some new guys at receiver. So other than having practiced together, we need to see 'em in a game with certain situations and just the flow of it. No matter how long it is, we just need to see it.»

Bowles said he's not concerned about Brady's level of conditioning after such a prolonged absence, nor is he concerned that Brady didn't have enough time to build up chemistry with Jones, wide receiver Russell Gage or tight end Kyle Rudolph.

«He missed 11 days, but he wasn't playing in the first two [games],» Bowles said. «He's fine with everything. We know his condition and it's fine. He's getting back with the guys. He's throwing the ball and we're good. I think it was built up before we left.

»It's just having everybody intact, practicing at the same time. You know, his days