Tom Brady can start Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Tom Brady can start Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be able to start in the team's Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after his four-game suspension was nullified by federal judge Richard Berman on Thursday. 

Under his suspension, Brady was slated to return against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 18. Brady had denied his role in the alleged deflation of football used in the AFC title game against the Colts, but the NFL suspended him for four games after attorney Ted Wells asserted that it was "more probable than not that New England Patriots personnel participated in violations of the Playing Rules and were involved in a deliberate effort to circumvent the rules" and Brady was “generally aware” of their actions. Brady's agent said at the time that the Wells report has "significant and tragic flaws."

The NFL also punished the Patriots franchise by imposing a $1 million fine and the loss of a 2016 first-round pick and 2017 fourth-round pick, but team owner Robert Kraft decided not to fight the sanctions.

The Sept. 10 game against the Steelers will take place at Gillette Stadium and serve as the league's season opener.