NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has reiterated that he’ll rule by Friday whether New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must serve a four-game suspension for “Deflategate.”

Judge Richard Berman issued a one-sentence order Tuesday saying he planned to rule by Friday whether the NFL properly followed its collective bargaining agreement with players when it suspended Brady for his role in using underinflated footballs in a playoff game. He said at a hearing Monday attended by Brady and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he hoped to rule Tuesday or Wednesday, but would decide by Friday for sure.

His order Tuesday came out after an apparently new and bogus Twitter account with his photograph claimed he would rule by 4 p.m. Tuesday. The tweet did not come from his chambers.

The NFL wants Brady’s suspension upheld. The NFL Players Association wants it struck down.

PATRIOTS TRADE FOR RETURNER SAUNDERS

The agent for NFL return specialist and receiver Jalen Saunders says the second-year pro has been traded from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots for a conditional draft pick.

The 22-year-old Saunders, whose agent is Rocky Arceneaux, saw his first NFL action with the New York Jets and Saints last season.

In New Orleans’ preseason game against Houston on Sunday, Saunders returned five kickoffs for 132 yards. However, he’s been competing for a special teams role with Saints seventh-round draft pick Marcus Murphy, who has returned seven kickoffs for 184 yards and also has been effective out of the backfield as a runner and receiver.

Murphy gained 110 yards from scrimmage Sunday, after which coach Sean Payton said the rookie was making the team.


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