Deflategate is either over or ready to take another step — the final step.
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The four-game suspension the league imposed on Tom Brady for his alleged role in deflating footballs used in the Patriots’ 45-7 win over the Colts in the 2015 AFC Championship was reinstated by a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in April. Brady filed a petition for a new hearing in May.
That petition for a re-hearing before the full court has been denied, therefore Brady’s suspension is still on. The Patriots quarterback's next option to get on the field for Week 1 is to appeal to the Supreme Court.
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From the Second Circuit: pic.twitter.com/42yWTTzziP
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) July 13, 2016
As it stands, Brady is eligible to return Week 5 against the Browns.