Pats' Brady expects to play Thursday

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- New England quarterback Tom Brady said Tuesday he expects to play in the Patriots' Thursday night preseason game against Philadelphia.

"There's no reason why I wouldn't," he said. "I've been out doing everything. It will be nice to get out there and play some football."

Brady, 32, missed last season with torn knee ligaments.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sounded convinced Brady was ready to get back into a game, the Boston Herald reported.

"I'll bet you a thousand lottery tickets that (Brady) starts the first (preseason) game," Kraft said.

Still Coach Bill Belichick isn't divulging his plans for his starting quarterback, saying it will depend on "what's best for this football team."