Brady to return to Bucs this week after personal absence

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is expected to return to the team this upcoming week, head coach Todd Bowles said Sunday, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic.

Bowles said on Aug. 11 that Brady wouldn't be back until after Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.

The head coach didn't give a specific date for Brady's return. However, the 45-year-old is expected to report to the team Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Bowles added that the star signal-caller's participation in next Saturday's final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts will depend on how practice goes.

Speculation about Brady's absence ramped up Thursday when Bowles said he didn't have a firm timetable for the quarterback's return.

Most notably, a theory originating from Reddit that claimed Brady left the Bucs to take part in Fox's hit show "The Masked Singer" went viral.

Following a brief retirement this offseason, Brady is set to play in his 23rd NFL season.