The Facts: According to Tom Curran of CSNNE.com, Brady was absent when the Patriots convened to begin the defense of their fifth Super Bowl title.

Diehards Line: Brady is expected back tomorrow, after returning from a family vacation. Cornerback Malcolm Butler is also expected back later this week after he was on vacation. He hasn’t signed his restricted free agent tender, leading to some uncertainty about his future there, particularly after they spent a pile of money on cornerback Stephon Gilmore.