On Wednesday, Judge Richard M. Berman scheduled the next hearing in the case regarding Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s suspension for August 31. If the case doesn’t settle that day, Judge Berman may issue a ruling by September 4.
If he doesn’t issue a ruling before September 10, that doesn’t mean Brady automatically will miss the regular-season opener against the Steelers. At some point, Brady and the NFL Players Association will ask for a court order preventing the NFL from implementing the suspension until Judge Berman rules.
Absent a modified DeLorean and 1.21 gigawatts, there’s no way to undo a suspension deemed improper after the fact.