Doug Marrone on Tom Brady's Hand Injury: 'He Could Probably Throw Left-Handed'

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone downplayed the significance of a hand injury suffered by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady by joking he could just switch hands for Sunday's AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.  

Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union passed along comments from Marrone, who didn't sound like he's suddenly game-planning for Pats backup Brian Hoyer.

"I'm sure he could probably throw left-handed, if he has a problem with his right hand, and throw just as well," he said.

Brady suffered the injury when he got run into during Wednesday's practice, but X-rays revealed "no structural damage," per Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.

NFL reporter Jason La Canfora noted later in the day the ailment was "not a big concern."

Brady returned to practice Thursday, as spotlighted by Mike Reiss of ESPN:

All signs point toward the five-time Super Bowl champion being available as the Patriots make their seventh straight appearance in the AFC title game.

Marrone's main task will be getting the Jags' vaunted defense, which ranked first against the pass during the regular season, prepared to at least slow down Brady and Co.

OddsShark notes New England is listed as an 8.5-point favorite in Sunday's clash.