Patriots QB Tom Brady has a shoulder injury which he’ll ‘play through’

The 2017 NFL season hasn’t gone as planned for the defending Super Bowl champions. Tom Brady and company were thought to be an unstoppable force in the AFC this season, but they have been anything but with the team being exposed throughout the first five weeks.

At 40 years old, Brady continues to play at a high level but hasn’t gotten the protection he’s used to this season. The five-time Super Bowl champion has been hit much more than usual, and it may be starting to take it’s toll as he is now dealing with a shoulder injury, according to ESPN.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was not at practice Tuesday because of a left shoulder injury.

Brady has been sacked 16 times this season which is already more than he was sacked in all of last season. Despite the constant hits, 32 in total, Brady will continue to push through as he is expected to play through his injury, via ESPN.

A source told ESPN’s Mike Reiss that Brady has undergone tests for the injury, but the 40-year-old quarterback is expected to be able to play through it.

After five games, the Patriots are sitting at 3-2 and have some stiff competition in the AFC East this season. New England is in a three-way tie with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets who are all sitting at 3-2 heading into Week 6. Even the Miami Dolphins aren’t far behind at 2-2.

Although Brady is getting banged and the competition is tougher within the division, New England is still considered to be a serious force to be reckoned with. In Week 6, the Patriots will go on the road to face the New York Jets in a crucial divisional matchup.