Patriots Notebook: Tom Brady sidelined with sore shoulder

Tom Brady was forced to take a knee during Wednesday's practice because of a sore shoulder. (AP Images)

It was equal parts panic and optimism for the Patriots on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.

Rob Gronkowski continued his road back from the sidelines by participating in his second practice since suffering a broken forearm Nov. 18, but the bubble burst on the good news when Tom Brady took his place on the sidelines during practice because of an injured right shoulder.

It’s likely that Brady’s first missed practice of the season was simply a day of rest after Sunday night’s physical game against the San Francisco 49ers. Brady threw 65 passes, was hit seven times and took three sacks in the 41-34 loss. The Patriots quarterback said he has spent the last few days icing his shoulder.

“It was a physical game, so yeah, I think everyone is a little sore from that game,” he said.

It's not yet known if Gronkowski will attempt to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also practiced last Friday before being deactivated for the 49ers game.

Preparing for Jones-Drew: The Patriots don’t know for sure if Maurice Jones-Drew will play this week, but they’re preparing as if the Jaguars running back will be on the field after missing the last eight games with a foot injury. But New England will gladly trade a little wasted time if it means Jones-Drew doesn’t play.

“I’d say it would probably be good if he waited one more week,” Bill Belichick said. “I’m sure he could use another few days of rest before he comes back.”

Jacksonville has used several running backs to replace Jones-Drew during his absence, most recently Montell Owens, who ran 11 times for 47 yards last week against Miami.

Bitter taste: Brady insists that he’s never gotten over any of the losses that he’s suffered throughout his career. So it’s no surprise that Sunday’s 41-34 loss to the San Francisco 49ers has left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“It sucks, there’s no question about it,” he said. “It’s not fun for anybody. It makes for a long week.”

Brady said that the Patriots have turned the page to the Jacksonville Jaguars after the spending the last few days trying to learn from what went wrong against the 49ers.

“That’s what the last two days have been about, as well as getting ready for Jacksonville and the things they do to try to screw up offenses,” Brady said. “They’ve been very competitive in a bunch of games this year. I know they haven’t won them all, but [they went] down to the wire against Houston, so they’re as capable as anybody.”