New England Patriots

Live updates on Super Bowl LII week

Follow the latest reports ahead of the Patriots-Eagles matchup in Super Bowl 52.

Philadelphia Eagles' Alshon Jeffery catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the NFC championship game.

By Hayden Bird, Nicole Yang, and John Waller

9 minutes to read

 Get the latest sports alerts sent directly to your phone. Download the Boston.com mobile app on your Apple or Android device.

Friday, Feb. 2

Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery says “we’re bringing that trophy back to Philly” (11:30 a.m.):

Osi Umenyiora offers Eagles the blueprint on how to beat Tom Brady (8:15 a.m.):

Here are a few Super Bowl-related links to kick off your Friday morning (7:40 a.m.):

Thursday, Feb. 1

Watch Bill Belichick, Devin McCourty, and Rob Gronkowski speak to the media (6:06 p.m.): (Video may take a moment to load.)

https://www.facebook.com/newenglandpatriots/videos/10156166392322372/

Rob Gronkowski reportedly cleared from NFL’s concussion protocol (4:54 p.m.): Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol, according to multiple reports.

Advertisement:

Here are a few Super Bowl-related links as both teams hold their last media availability of the week (1:21 p.m.):

The Eagles are done with their official media obligations after a session Thursday morning. One highlight included old Patriots friend LeGarrette Blount’s response when asked if he’d like to pick the brain of an NFL legend:

Former Patriot Chris Long also talked about facing the Patriots:

Halftime performer Justin Timberlake is in Minnesota, too, and says he’s already been in touch with Tom Brady:

Brady and the Patriots meet the media for the final time this week this afternoon.

Malcolm Butler arrived in Minnesota on Tuesday after recovering from flu-like symptoms. The pending free agent cornerback said Wednesday he “without a doubt” would like to be back with the Patriots next season:

Advertisement:

On the Longform Podcast, ESPN’s Seth Wickersham explains how he cultivated sources for his story on tension between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick:

It was almost like having an affair, I’d meet people at hotels. I met people at TGI Friday’s 15 miles away from the stadium. I met people at diners. One interview I did in a running parked car when it was really cold out and it was like six degrees for 90 minutes.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

Here are a few more Super Bowl-related links to wrap up Wednesday (10:04 p.m.):James Harrison and Danny Amendola swap jerseys, claim they’re swapping positions:

Something was little off at the Patriots’ media availability Wednesday afternoon. Five-foot-11, 190-pound Danny Amendola was wearing the jersey of 6-foot, 242-pound James Harrison — and vice versa. Read more.

Tom Brady told the stories behind two past dog bites: Even a GOAT isn’t safe from getting bitten by a dog. Speaking to the media Wednesday afternoon at the Mall of America, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was asked if he has ever been bitten by a dog. The 40-year-old shared, yes, he has been bitten by a dog. In fact, he’s actually been bitten twice. Read more.

Jonathan Kraft shares the worst part about having Tom Brady as a ‘brother’: Patriots owner Robert Kraft has consistently referred to quarterback Tom Brady as his fifth son, while Brady has consistently referred to Kraft as his second father. Read more.

Watch the Patriots’ Wednesday press conferences (5:18 p.m.): (Video may take a moment to load.)

Advertisement:

https://www.facebook.com/newenglandpatriots/videos/10156163360637372/

The Denver Post‘s Nicki Jhabvala, the pool reporter at Patriots practice Wednesday, said Rob Gronkowski practiced on a limited basis (4:36 p.m.):

Rob Gronkowski, left, warms up during practice Wednesday.

Scott Zolak interviewed Bill Belichick (3:57 p.m.):

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/958792775167655936

Here are a few articles to get you caught up on Wednesday’s news (3:52 p.m.):

Robert Kraft says some tension can help ‘make great things happen’: Robert Kraft maintains there’s no dysfunction within the Patriots organization, but the team owner recently acknowledged there has been some tension. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, however, according to Kraft. Read more.

Charlie Baker is wagering a smorgasbord of local food in his Super Bowl bet with Pennsylvania’s governor: Give credit to Gov. Charlie Baker. After fleecing three other governors of their state’s finest cuisine during the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning playoff run last year, Baker held off until the big game this year before placing a friendly food wager with the governor of the opposing team’s state. And the Massachusetts governor is upping his bet. Read more.

A columnist from Philly wrote a take about Aaron Hernandez and the Patriots: Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bob Brookover penned a column about Aaron Hernandez and the Patriots that led to widespread reaction on social media. Read more.

Advertisement:

Listen to ‘Amen-dola’, an ode to ‘the bold and the soft-spoken’ Patriots wide receiver: The musicians that brought Patriots fans “Brady Pull Me Closer” before last year’s Super Bowl are back with another song certain to end up stuck in your head before Sunday’s matchup with the Eagles. Read more.

The Patriots are holding their first practice since arriving in Minnesota (3:35 p.m.):

By the looks of this Patriots tweet, Tom Brady had tape on his throwing hand, and Rob Gronkowski was present.

A Kirk Cousins sighting in Minnesota:

Roger Goodell held his annual Super Bowl press conference (2:19 p.m.):

Robert and Jonathan Kraft sat down with Andrea Kremer for an interview (1:31 p.m.):

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/958769790067212289

Here are a few Super Bowl-related links in case you missed them (12:55 p.m.):

An argument took place on Radio Row at the Super Bowl between Houston radio hosts

:

Tuesday, Jan. 30

Here are a few Patriots soundbites, quotes, and photos from Tuesday in Minnesota (1:16 p.m.)

:

Here are a few Super Bowl-related links in case you missed them (11:15 a.m.):

Here are more moments that stood out from Opening Night (12:44 a.m.): 

In addition to what’s below, Tom Brady said he hopes WEEI host Alex Reimer, who made a disparaging remark about his daughter, does not get fired. Also Monday night, WEEI and its parent company, Entercom, released a statement saying they were “disappointed and embarrassed” by Reimer’s comment.

https://twitter.com/nicolecyang/status/958174562377748481

Monday, Jan. 29

That wasn’t just any hat Bill Belichick was wearing off the team plane in Minnesota (8:46 p.m.): 

Advertisement:

The Patriots coach told former Patriot Willie McGinest at Opening Night that the hat he was wearing had belonged to his father, Steve Belichick.

Bill Belichick and Linda Holliday arrive in Minneapolis on Monday.

More from Belichick’s interview with McGinest:

Here are a few early Tom Brady, Bill Belichick moments at Opening Night (8:30 p.m.):

Tom Brady is wearing gloves at Opening Night (8:14 p.m.):

Patriots players and coach Bill Belichick will talk to the media first at Opening Night, followed by the Eagles, according to the NFL (8 p.m.):

According to WEEI’s Ryan Hannable, a big crowd awaits Tom Brady.

Malcolm Butler is sick (5:04 p.m.): According to the Patriots, cornerback Malcolm Butler will miss Opening Night on Monday due to an illness.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Patrick Chung will take Butler’s place at the media event.

On Instagram, Rob Gronkowski captioned a photo of himself, “Locked in, ready to roll” (4:45 p.m.):

The Patriots tight end returned to practice Saturday but reportedly will miss Monday’s Opening Night event (see below).

Here are a few Super Bowl-related links in case you missed them (4:34 p.m.):

Photos and videos from the Patriots’ Monday arrival in Minnesota have come in (4:12 p.m.):

Bill Belichick and Linda Holliday.

Tom Brady.

Rob Gronkowski.

The Patriots have landed in Minnesota:

The NFL released the podium positions for Opening Night: Duron Harmon, Brandin Cooks, Stephon Gilmore, Bill Belichick, David Andrews, Tom Brady, Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Butler, and James White will all be available at individual risers for the Patriots.

Advertisement:

The Eagles will have offensive coordinator Frank Reich, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, coach Doug Pederson, tight end Zach Ertz, quarterback Nick Foles, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive end Brandon Graham, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and tight end Brent Celek available at risers.

Rob Gronkowski reportedly will miss Opening Night: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Gronkowski is still in concussion protocol and recovering from a helmet-to-helmet hit in the AFC Championship Game. Players are not permitted to speak to the media until they have been medically cleared.

The tight end returned to practice Saturday afternoon for the first time since his head injury.

Watch the Patriots’ Super Bowl send-off rally at Gillette Stadium: Here’s video of the Pats’ rally before the team headed to Minnesota for Super Bowl LII.

Tom Brady literally dropped the mic after speech at Patriots’ Super Bowl rally: Amid speeches from players, coaches, and media personalities at the Patriots’ Super Bowl send-off, Tom Brady fittingly delivered the most memorable moment.

The Patriots departed Gillette Stadium with a police escort:

Tom Brady cuts WEEI interview short in response to comment about daughter: Tom Brady cut his weekly radio interview on WEEI short on Monday, citing a recent comment made about his daughter. Brady said it was “very disappointing” to hear a derogatory comment about her and ended the normally longer segment.

Sunday, Jan. 28

The Eagles have landed: 

Philadelphia’s planes arrived in Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. The Patriots will depart on Monday.

5 things to know about the Eagles, the Patriots’ dynamic Super Bowl opponent: The Eagles’ season was supposed to be over when they lost Carson Wentz, and four more facts about the team from Philly.

Advertisement:

Here’s everything you need to know to travel to Super Bowl LII. If you’re itching to watch the New England Patriots face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, you have some planning to do. You’ll need tickets, transportation, and a place to stay. This 2018 Super Bowl travel guide aims to help.

There are nearly 1,000 Super Bowl prop bets, and some of them are truly ridiculous: Have a strong hunch that Stephen Gostowski will play the game of his life next Sunday? Well, you may want to bet on it.