Notebook: Brady not spotted at practice, White calls Gronkowski a 'dirty player'

There was no sign of quarterback Tom Brady at the start of Patriots’ practice for the second consecutive day, according to those on the scene.


Brady’s attendance at the start of practice the last few weeks has been spotty, as the team indicated he has an Achilles issue, which has likely been the reason he hasn't been seen at the last two Wednesday practices. According to the Boston Herald, he is expected to play Monday night against the Dolphins in Miami.

In addition to Brady, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, defensive lineman Deatrich Wise and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon were all absent. Per a league source, Wise is expected to play Monday as well. It’s also worth mentioning that cornerback Malcolm Butler was back at practice on Thursday after not being seen at the start of Wednesday’s workout.

Davis fires back

In his first session with reporters since he was the recipient of a late hit at the hands of Rob Gronkowski in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White called Gronkowski a “dirty player,” and said he has yet to hear from Gronkowski since the incident.

"The guy did what he wanted to do. He is what he did. Dirty shot, so what does that make him? Dirty player. Simple." White said Thursday, according to reporters. “I'm glad I had my mouthpiece in. I probably could've but my tongue off. I bit my lip pretty bad. Terrible headache. It is what it is. He did what he wanted to do."

Asked about Gronkowski’s one-game suspension, White didn’t sound happy.

"Man, it's a joke, dog,” he said. “Man, I don't know what to say on that. I'm laying there. He snuck me with my back turned. He could have broke my neck. I mean, I got a son to raise. All that. People don't think about that when they just react."

Morelli gets the call

Veteran ref Pete Morelli will work Monday’s game between the Patriots and Dolphins. Morelli, in his 15th year as a referee, will be working his second New England game of the season — he also had the whistle for the Oct. 29 game between the Patriots and Chargers in Foxborough. New England is 6-2 in the last eight games where Morelli has been the lead official. For more on Morelli's work, check out his page at Pro Football Reference.