By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com
FOXBORO -- Tom Brady practiced for the second straight day on Friday after missing Wednesday's practice because of a foot injury.
As for what foot it is, Patriots coach Bill Belichick joked on Friday that it was Brady's "throwing foot."
Belichick said he would further evaluate Brady's injury after Friday's practice, before he makes a decision on the quarterback's status for Sunday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Brady being at practice on Friday should be a sign that he'll be ready to play.
"We'll see how it goes today, and list him accordingly this afternoon," said Belichick prior to Friday's practice at Gillette Stadium. "We'll do the same thing we always do. We'll practice, go through the week, and list his participation in practice based on what it is, and list his status for the game just like we do everybody else's, based on what we think it is, after we get through the whole week, after we get through Friday's practice."
After practice, wide receiver Wes Welker said that he wasn't concerned about Brady's status.
New England Patriots
"He seems like he's always got something, and he always shows up on Sundays," said Welker. "So, I'm not worried about that."
In the remote case that Brady does miss Sunday's game, Brian Hoyer would be New England's starting quarterback. Belichick had plenty of praise for Hoyer on Friday.
"I think Brian has been consistent, like he's been all year," said Belichick. "He gets opportunities every week, and maybe a few more this week. He's a very dependable guy who works hard and knows the game plan.
"He's about like he always is, a well-prepared, consistent, focused kid."
Safety Jarrad Page and defensive lineman Myron Pryor were the only two Patriots players missing from practice on Friday.
Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comdannypicard