By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com
FOXBORO -- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady didn't speak to the media for the second straight day that he was supposed to, but his flu-like symptoms didn't hold him back from Thursday's practice at Gillette Stadium.
Brady originally was supposed to be available to the media on Wednesday, as he usually is. But that was pushed back to Thursday because Brady was suffering from the flu, forcing him to miss Wednesday's practice.
And on Thursday Brady's media availability was pushed back once again, as the quarterback was still dealing with those flu-like symptoms.
The limited amount of Patriots players who talked to the media on Thursday all realize it's in the team's best interest for Brady to get all the rest he can, prior to Sunday's game in Buffalo.
"We have to do what we have to do," said wide receiver Deion Branch. "Whatever it takes to get Tom up to full steam. If he needs to rest two or three days, that's what he's got to do."
Branch spoke to the media on Thursday, but unlike Brady, he wasn't available at Thursday's practice. It marked the second straight day that Branch (knee) was missing.
New England Patriots
Also missing was Dan Connolly (concussion), Aaron Hernandez (hip), Tully Banta-Cain (groin), Jermaine Cunningham (calf), and Mike Wright (concussion).
Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard. You can listen to Danny on his streaming radio show I'm Just Sayin'Monday-Friday from 9-10 a.m. on CSNNE.com.