As information trickles out regarding the hand injury Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered in Wednesday’s practice, it appears he most likely injured a finger on his throwing hand rather than the hand itself.

Likely, he jammed his hand badly enough to have an open finger dislocation.

Per league source, Tom Brady injured his right hand making a handoff at practice today. Suffered a cut but X-rays were negative. #Patriots — Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) January 18, 2018

It is difficult to suffer a true laceration on a handoff, especially in practice. Also, if it were just a cut, there would be no need for X-ray.


The main possibility requiring a X-ray that could also cause a cut is an open finger dislocation.

In that case, the displaced finger joint would be so far out of place that it would tear the skin from the inside out.

Four days out, sources say Tom Brady’s performance against the Jaguars shouldn’t be an issue due to his hand getting jammed at practice. But of course, that’s as long as the treatment goes according to plan, especially in the initial 24 hours. — Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 18, 2018

The reference to 24 hours probably refers to the possibility of infection.


An open dislocation of the PIP (proximal interphalageal joint, the middle joint on the finger) is most common. This injury most frequently happens to the pinky or ring finger, which would be the least troublesome for a quarterback. The thumb would be most devastating in terms of the ability grip the ball and spin it on passes.

Finger dislocations through the skin happen to many players with relatively minimal effect. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt suffered an open dislocation in the season opener and returned to play in that game.

That this is the throwing hand of a quarterback is the worrisome issue. But as long as it is not the thumb, the effect should be mitigated.

Even with torn ligaments, which happens in every dislocation, the pinky would be fine with tape and support.


The pain will dissipate by game time and medication could dull pain. The function on the finger should be good, as the tendons that control function typically are not damaged

If it is the thumb, this will be a big deal in terms of affecting Brady’s grip and throwing. (The index finger is second-most important, followed by the middle finger.)

All eyes will be on Brady’s right hand at Thursday’s practice – if he takes the field Thursday. The key will be which finger and what location is bandaged.

If he does practice, he may wear a glove to not only help with grip, as we suggested in our initial report Wednesday, but to hide which finger is injured.


If he doesn’t practice, he could skip a press conference where all eyes would again be on any bandages on his hand/finger.