New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (center, L) is sacked by Houston Texans linebacker Xavier Adibi during the first half of their NFL football preseason game in Houston Monday. The Texans won 20-16. — Reuters TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady showed midseason form in his preseason debut. After sitting out New England's preseason opener in Week 1, the reigning NFL MVP tossed a pair of touchdowns and completed 11 of 19 passes in the New England Patriots' 31-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday. Brady threw for 118 yards in one half of work, and connected on scoring strikes from 16 yards to Aaron Hernandez, and 8 yards out to Chad Ochocinco, who also both made their debuts. BenJarvus Green-Ellis also got in on the act, rushing 11 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Patriots coach Bill Belichick called this a big week for his team in regards to position battles and roster spots. Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris had a tough time finding any fault with his team's effort in a 25-0 rout at Kansas City last week. But this week was more than a small reversal of fortune. Steelers 24, Eagles 14: Ben Roethlisberger completed 8 of 12 passes for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers cruised by the Philadelphia Eagles. Roethlisberger directed the defending AFC champions to touchdowns on both drives he played, hitting Antonio Brown for a 29-yard score in the first quarter and veteran Hines Ward on a 20-yard strike in the second. Pryor must miss 5 weeks of practice if drafted The NFL announced Thursday that the former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was eligible for its supplemental draft, but he will not be allowed to practice for the team that selects him until Week 6. Terrelle Pryor, the former Ohio State quarterback, will work out for NFL teams Saturday in hopes of being drafted. A league spokesman, Greg Aiello, sent out a Twitter message saying players cannot break the rules, as Pryor did, “and get a free pass into the NFL” Players sue over injuries Six former players and one current player have sued the NFL in federal court in Philadelphia over concussion-related injuries, the first potential class-action lawsuit of its kind. The players accuse the league of failing to protect their health and of trying to conceal any links between football and brain injuries. The players include the former quarterback Jim McMahon. The suit accuses the NFL of negligence and intentional misconduct in its response to the headaches, dizziness and dementia that former players have reported.
