Brady sits out third straight game

FOXBOROUGH - The preseason remained Tom Brady-free for the Patriots as the franchise quarterback, nursing a sore right foot, sat out for the third straight game, ceding the Gillette Stadium stage to backup Matt Cassel last night against the Eagles.

Brady was not present at practice Tuesday, but was sighted during the media portion of practice Wednesday, creating the possibility he could play last night.

It's now possible Brady could start the season Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs without the benefit of preseason play, with his last live action coming in the Patriots' 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII in February.

The reigning MVP has one last chance to test things out in faux football Thursday when the Patriots wrap up the preseason against the Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.

Brady is not the only one whose timing could be affected if he can't play in an exhibition game. The same would go for his receivers, who have worked with him extensively in practice but have yet to catch a pass from him in a game.

"We've taken some reps with him. We're kind of on the same page," said wide receiver Jabar Gaffney. "We'd like to get in a game and get things ironed out before the regular season, but he has to do what he has to do to get better.

"I'm sure as soon as he can, we'll be back out there working with him."

Welker hurt

Wide receiver Wes Welker left the game in the first quarter after getting belted on a punt return for no gain by Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson and suffering a rib injury.

Welker crawled on all fours before leaving the field under his own power. He was replaced at wide receiver by Kelley Washington on the next possession.

Harrison back

Safety Rodney Harrison made his preseason debut, earning the starting nod alongside James Sanders, who was also seeing his first action.

Harrison started camp on the physically unable to perform list and came off July 29, but had not practiced from Aug. 3 until Tuesday. On the opening drive of the game, which resulted in a Philadelphia field goal, Harrison was whistled for an illegal contact penalty on wide receiver Jason Avant. He protested, but to no avail.

Sanders made his presence felt on special teams when he planted DeSean Jackson after a long punt return that was negated by a pair of holding penalties.

Together again

Last night represented a family reunion for Gaffney and Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard. They are second cousins and close friends.

Gaffney and Sheppard, both 27, were teammates at Raines High in Jacksonville, Fla., where they won a state title together, and then in college at Florida, where they roomed together. The two, who train together in the offseason, faced off last season when the Patriots beat the Eagles, 31-28.

Gaffney said he and Sheppard have traded some friendly trash talk.

"He said we got lucky last year," said Gaffney with a smile. "He said they let us off the hook. It's all in good fun. I mean to go out there and compete against him; he's one of the best and to get a chance to work against him is a great thing."

Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowler, was supplanted at left cornerback when the Eagles signed former Patriot Asante Samuel to a six-year, $57 million deal. Sheppard has made it clear he wants the team to redo his contract, which has four years remaining, or trade him.

However, Sheppard and Samuel have gotten along in part because Gaffney gave his cousin a primer on Samuel.

"Yeah, I told him he's a great guy, and he's going to help them out tremendously," said Gaffney. "Now, with the addition of him, and they have Sheldon Brown, they should have one of the best secondaries around."

Meriweather out

Neither safety Brandon Meriweather nor guard/center Billy Yates, both of whom were injured in the Patriots' 27-10 loss to the Buccaneers Sunday, was active last night. Meriweather suffered a leg injury on the opening drive at Tampa, and Yates sustained a pinched nerve in his neck/shoulder blocking on the opening kickoff of the second half.

Pierre Woods got the start at outside linebacker in place of Adalius Thomas, who suited up but did not play last week. Thomas wasn't in uniform last night.

Also sitting out for the Patriots were defensive end Ty Warren, running backs LaMont Jordan and Kyle Eckel, wide receiver Sam Aiken (knee), cornerbacks Jason Webster (hamstring) and Mike Richardson, offensive linemen Matt Light, Russ Hochstein, and Ryan O'Callaghan, and reserve defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith.

Flynn jumps right in

Despite being signed Thursday and not having the benefit of a practice, center/guard Mike Flynn was in uniform . . . Prior to the game, a moment of silence was observed for NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw, who died Thursday at age 63 . . . In the press box, last night's game was dedicated to the memory of Dan Pires, a Patriots reporter for the New Bedford Standard-Times who died in June at age 52. A moment of silence was observed. A fund has been established to help pay for the education of Pires's son, Taylor, and daughter, Jillian, who were in attendance along with his wife, Becky. Those wishing to make donations can send them to the CIB/Pires Education Fund, 70 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, R.I. 02888 . . . The Patriots deferred after winning the coin toss for the third straight game.