AROUND THE AFC
• One of the few players Cleveland didn’t run out of town this offseason was defensive end Desmond Bryant, an eight-year veteran who has 25 sacks (including a team-high six last year) in 104 career games. But Bryant recently had surgery for a torn pectoral muscle and the expected recovery time of 5-6 months means he’ll likely miss the season. Bryant’s injury could create a bigger role for rookie Carl Nassib.
• New England quarterback Tom Brady will miss the first four games because of Deflategate. The games: At Arizona (tough match-up in prime time), home to Miami (a win), home to Houston on a Thursday night (short week to get ready for Texans’ defense) and home to Buffalo (Patriots will win).