New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady missed Wednesday's practice with an illness. According to head coach Bill Belichick, it will not keep him out of Sunday's game.

While this isn't earth-shattering news, it's big when you consider the depth of preparation these quarterbacks are famous for undergoing each week. Peyton Manning, for example, is so set on getting in as much work as possible that he probably wore a football helmet and read his iPad while showering this morning.

It is not known if Tom was wearing a football helmet in a hot tub with an iPad today.

Of more direct significance on New England's practice report is the non-absence of two other players: punter Ryan Allen and wide receiver Aaron Dobson. Allen left the Patriots' divisional round game with a shoulder injury and did not return. Dobson is considered one of the Patriots' deep threats and missed their divisional round game. He caught 37 passes for 519 yards and four TDs in 16 games this season.

The full practice/status report for both teams will be up later today.