Tampa Bay Buccaneers May Play NFL Preseason Finale Without Tom Brady

Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl in his first season after leaving New England GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA via AFP / Michael Reaves

KEY POINTS

There's no definite answer yet as to when Tom Brady will return
Brady went out of training camp due to personal reasons
Brady's form could be a concern for Tampa Bay next season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face the Indianapolis Colts in this week's third and final preseason game, but the bigger question is on whether five-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady will be seeing action.

The 45-year-old play-caller has been away since August 11 to reportedly attend to personal things.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles explained that it was something that was agreed upon weeks before Brady took a time off.

Despite being absent, Brady has reportedly been in touch with the coaching staff.

With no clear answer on when Brady will return, a group of reporters swarmed on Bowles and unsurprisingly tried to get an answer on the possible return of Brad.

"Like I said a week and a half ago, I said he'll be back this week," Bowles said as quoted by Pro Football Talk. "So that hasn't changed. We expect him back this week."

Assuming that all goes according to plan, the next question is if Brady will be ready to play for the Bucs.

Bowles was asked about that as well and the 58-year-old coach responded by saying that it will all depend on how things turn out during their practice sessions this week.

"Not yet," Bowles stated. "We'll see how practice goes, and we'll make those decisions at the end of the week."

NFL teams normally use the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the team's starters, but this practice has diminished over time with coaches wary of the potential injuries that their key players may incur.

For now, Bowles has been giving Kyle Trask as many reps as possible.

Moreover, several starters on the Tampa Bay side have not participated in the preseason. That list includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, Russell Gage, Tristan Wirfs, Donovan Smith, Shaq Mason, Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David and Devin White, as well as Carlton Davis III and Antoine Winfield Jr.

But of the regulars who have not participated, there is no denying Brady is one of the most important ones that could present the utmost concern.

Questions on his conditioning may crop up, something that could be telling for the Bucs this coming season.