During the 45-minute period in the locker room, several cameramen lingered near his locker, but he didn't show up. Nor was he there for the first 12 minutes of practice that the media were allowed to watch.
New England coach Bill Belichick said reporters would be informed after practice if Brady participated. Stacey James, the Patriots' vice president of media relations, said Friday night that he had no update on whether Brady practiced.
Brady was photographed in New York on Monday wearing a protective boot on his right foot. He took it off later in the day and hasn't been photographed wearing it since. He reportedly has a minor high ankle sprain that isn't expected to keep him out of the Super Bowl against the New York Giants on Feb. 3.
Brady wasn't seen during the first 15 minutes of Thursday's workout to which media were admitted, nor in the locker room.
As Belichick was asked Friday to compare the current trip to the Super Bowl to the other three the team has played in, James said, "Final question."
One reporter tried to squeeze in another, asking if Belichick could say what Brady did or didn't do on Thursday, the Patriots' first day of practice after a three-day break.
"Was that the last question?" Belichick said, smiling as he turned toward James.