Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that quarterback Tom Brady missed practice Thursday for personal reasons, and will not return to the team until after the Bucs’ second preseason game on Aug. 20 against the Titans.  Bowles said was a planned, 11-day absence from the team, and the 45-year-old quarterback’s break from practice was arranged before camp began.

Bowles said after the Bucs concluded two days of controlled scrimmages against the Miami Dolphins: “Tom has been excused today. … He’s going to deal with some personal things. This is something we talked about before training camp started. We allotted this time because he wanted to get in and get chemistry with the guys with two weeks of training camp, knowing he wasn’t going to play the first two (preseason) games.” He added:  “It’s something he [Brady] needs to handle. We trust him. We talked about it. It was scheduled way before training camp.”

Bowles downplayed any concern when asked if he has any doubt Brady will play in the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against the Cowboys:  “Obviously, there’s always going to be doubt, but I have a pretty high level of confidence, yes. Per our conversation, I’m not worried.”

Tampa Bay opens the preseason Saturday night against the Dolphins. The Bucs will also travel to Nashville for two days of practice ahead of their game against the Titans. Backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask and Ryan Griffin will share snaps during Brady’s absence.

Editorial credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com