FOXBORO -- Tom Brady's suspension is over. He's allowed to be inside the facilities at Gillette Stadium. But don't ask any of his Patriots teammates if they've had a chance to welcome him back in person.
"Haven't seen him," special teams captain Matthew Slater said. When asked a follow-up about Brady's presence in the building, Slater responded, "I can't answer that question."
Slater wasn't the only one. Receiver Chris Hogan and tackle Nate Solder were asked if they had spotted their starting quarterback, and both said that they had not.
Regardless of whether they have or haven't seen Brady, players who spoke to reporters from the locker room on Monday indicated that with Brady or without him, they have to perform better than they did against the Bills on Sunday.
"Well, I mean, we’re obviously thrilled to have him back," Slater said. "We know what type of player he’s been for this team. We know what type of leader he’s been for this team. For all that being said, we still have a job to do with him here now, so we’re excited about the challenges that lie ahead."