After a monthlong hiatus, Brady returns to Patriots

FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2016 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. A lot has happened in the first month of the season since Tom Brady began his four-game suspension. He is eligible to return to the team on Monday, Oct. 3. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2016 file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. A lot has happened in the first month of the season since Tom Brady began his four-game suspension. He is eligible to return to the team on Monday, Oct. 3. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

By Associated Press October 3, 2016 4 min read

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – He’s baaack.

And minus a surprise setback Sunday against Buffalo, it’s almost like Tom Brady never left.

Despite being without their franchise centerpiece for the past month while he served his four-game “Deflategate” suspension, the New England Patriots welcome Brady back on Monday 3-1 after a 16-0 loss to the Bills.

When Brady returns to the Patriots facilities, it will put an official stamp on the 21-month odyssey that has hovered over the franchise since an NFL investigation concluded the Patriots intentionally underinflated footballs used in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 18, 2015.

A federal judge initially overturned the suspension, allowing Brady to play last season, but an appeals court reinstated it this spring. Prior to training camp in July, Brady announced he would end his legal challenges and accept the league’s punishment.