Coach Todd Bowles indicated Sunday that Brady (personal) is slated to return to the Buccaneers early this coming week, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brady stepped away from the team earlier this month for personal reasons, but it appears as though the veteran QB will return to the field soon, a context that gives him ample time to prepare for Tampa Bay's season opener against Dallas.

Coach Todd Bowles said Thursday that he doesn't have a "definitive date" for Brady (personal) rejoining the team but isn't concerned about it, ESPN.com's Jenna Laine reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bowles previously said he expected Brady to return after the team's second preseason game this Saturday against the Titans. The coach isn't necessarily backtracking but didn't want to give an exact date, saying he'd discuss it next week after the exhibition. The Bucs have approved Brady's absence from most of training camp, granting him permission to remain away from the team for personal reasons.

Coach Todd Bowles said that Brady will remain away from the team for personal reasons until after Tampa Bay's preseason matchup against the Titans on Aug. 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bowles confirmed that Brady's absence is due to personal reasons when asked if the veteran was dealing with any health issues, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com, and he noted that the matter was discussed before the start of training camp. Until Brady's return, quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask and Ryan Griffin will lead Tampa Bay's offense. As Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports, Bowles only committed to saying his confidence is "pretty high" that Brady will start in Week 1, so this is a situation fantasy managers will need to monitor.

Brady was back in practice Saturday after being absent for the Buccaneers' last two training camp sessions, Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brady had Wednesday's practice off due to his birthday, and he'd been excused from Friday's session for personal reasons. However, the future Hall of Famer was back on the field and participating in full Saturday, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller in a red-zone drill and also continuing to build impressive chemistry with newcomer Russell Gage, according to Brianna Dix of the team's official site.

Brady and some of the Buccaneers' other starters will be held out of the team's Aug. 13 preseason opener against the Dolphins, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brady didn't play in the 2020 preseason but then attempted 16 passes in two games in his second year with Tampa Bay in 2021. His 2022 projection has gotten a bit better in recent weeks with Chris Godwin (knee) avoiding the PUP list to start training camp and with the Bucs signing Julio Jones shortly thereafter. Blaine Gabbert likely will start at quarterback in Tampa's preseason opener.

Brady noted Wednesday that he feels his left knee is finally back to full health after the MCL surgery he underwent in June 2021, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brady originally suffered an MCL tear in the knee back in 2019 while still with the Patriots, but he never addressed the issue that following offseason due to his belief the injury would heal on its own. That led to the future Hall of Famer playing his 2020 debut, Super Bowl-winning campaign with the Buccaneers while managing the injury, and the knee reportedly still didn't feel all the way back to full strength throughout last season after the surgery. Consequently, Brady notes this offseason has been the first time he's felt unrestricted with respect to his leg in three years, which has allowed him to engage in sprint work for his mobility and other similar workouts that weren't possible before.

The Buccaneers have restructured Brady's 2022 contract, a move that creates $9 million in salary cap space for the team, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report notes that prior to restructuring Brady's deal, the team had just shy of $4.4 million in cap space ahead of next week's NFL draft. Now the Bucs have added resources to sign rookies, as well as potentially add more veteran free agents, with tight end Rob Gronkowski an intriguing option on that front if he decides to play in 2022. In any case, Brady -- who turns 45 in August -- remains on track to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

Brady should remain in what is now a familiar offensive system despite the retirement of Bruce Arians, as he'll still be working under offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The future Hall of Famer's brief retirement came to an end shortly before Arians' sudden decision to call it a coaching career himself. However, Brady certainly won't have to adapt to a new offensive system, despite the architect of the one he's thrived in the last two seasons no longer donning a headset. In Leftwich, Brady will still be working under the same coordinator that's helped the legendary signal-caller rack up 9,949 yards and 83 touchdown passes across his last 33 regular-season games. Moreover, with new head coach Todd Bowles almost certain to give Leftwich significant autonomy over the offensive side of the ball, it's highly conceivable Brady will have an even bigger voice in the overall scheme during the coming season.

Brady announced via his personal Twitter account Sunday that he'll return to the Buccaneers in 2022.

EDGE Analysis

Brady announced his retirement from football in early February, but he reversed course Sunday and said that he's "realized [his] place is still on the field and not in the stands." The 44-year-old turned in one of the best years of his career in 2021, as he completed 485 of 719 passes for 5,316 yards, 43 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing 28 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Brady's announcement that he'll return for a 23rd season in the NFL will raise the fantasy stock of Tampa Bay's pass catchers now that he's going to be under center once again.

Brady announced Tuesday via his personal Twitter account that he has retired from the NFL after 22 seasons.

EDGE Analysis

Brady spent time mulling a decision on his future after rumors of his retirement were pre-emptively floated Saturday, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion has ultimately decided to hang up his cleats following an age-44 season in which he compiled over 5,000 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. The three-time league MVP will leave the game as the NFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns (624), passing yards (85,520), career wins (243) and Pro Bowl selections (15), and he's a lock to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when first eligible. Brady's decision to step away from the NFL leaves major questions at quarterback for a Buccaneers roster that could see a lot of other talent depart in free agency this offseason.