FOXBORO -- There’s one of two possibilities when it comes to Tom Brady’s sore right foot: it’s either hurting more than anyone is letting on or one of his teammates was getting a little chuckle at the media’s expense yesterday.

It’s likely the latter.

When the press entered the Pats’ locker room yesterday, there was a set of crutches leaning inside his stall. That’s a day after the now-infamous walking boot he was photographed wearing just before the Super Bowl (or one like it) was reportedly spotted in his locker.

Brady did not practice with his teammates yesterday, nor did he attend the Patriots’ Charitable Foundation Kickoff Gala at Gillette Stadium last night. Emcee Rich Eisen told the crowd Brady was tending to personal matters in his native California; both his son, who turned 1 earlier this week, and his parents and other family live in the state.

For what it’s worth, ESPN reporter Chris Mortensen said during the San Diego-Seattle game on Monday night that Brady has a “deep bone bruise.”

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG