Tom Brady looks likely to return to the practice field Thursday, a day after being the only Patriot missing from practice while nursing a left shoulder injury.
Brady suffered the injury earlier in the season, but it hasn't been a serious issue, and it has not affected his play. He threw six touchdowns and 353 yards in last Saturday's rout of the Denver Broncos, and all indications are that he'll be ready this Sunday when the Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
The Patriots have lost just one game at home throughout the entire 2011 season, but are seeking to exact revenge against Baltimore after the Ravens knocked them out of the 2010 playoffs with a convincing 33-14 victory, during which Brady threw three interceptions.
Aside from a torn ACL that cost him all but one quarter of the 2008 season, Brady has never missed a game during his 12-year NFL career.