A mid-week report suggested the New England Patriots were one of six teams to approach free agent Brandon Lloyd about the possibility of playing this season.
That's not true according to NFL Media columnist Mike Silver, who reported Thursday that the Patriots "never called," and that a reunion with Lloyd is "not happening."
Silver's account is backed by TheMMQB.com's Greg Bedard, who used to cover the Patriots for The Boston Globe. New England didn't inquire about Lloyd, Bedard confirms. "If anything," Bedard explained, "they called him to set up their emergency list like they do at every position to see who might be available should the worst happen."
As upset as Tom Brady was with his greenhorn receivers in Thursday's 13-10 squeaker over the Jets, the Patriots aren't desperate enough to bring back a player who proved to be a poorlocker-room fit.
Lloyd reportedly is "neither physically nor mentally ready" to play football this season. Even if he was, Bedard emphasized that the Patriots "ship has sailed."
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