Brady becomes a daddy

Quarterback Tom Brady was not at practice yesterday afternoon, which of course attracted attention. Later it was announced that his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan, gave birth to the couple’s son yesterday in Los Angeles.

“Both mother and baby are doing well,” said Christina Papadapoulos, Moynahan’s publicist. Other details were not immediately released.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said he didn’t know when Brady would rejoin the team.

It also wasn’t clear whether Brady would play in the Patriots’ exhibition game tomorrow night at Carolina. A call to his agent, Donald Yee, wasn’t immediately returned to The Associated Press.

Brady had said earlier this week that he would like a few days off for the birth of his first child, calling the event “a very joyous, happy situation.” It was unknown if he arrived in Los Angeles before the baby was born.

Moynahan and Brady split up late last year after a three-year relationship. Brady has been dating supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

Brady, who has been monitoring his number of throws this offseason, also did not practice last Wednesday, before Friday’s game against the Titans.

Meanwhile, defensive lineman Ty Warren, who injured his elbow against the Bucs and did not play in the Tennessee game, returned to the practice field yesterday.

A week ago, the Patriots’ punting job was a three-man competition. Today, Danny Baugher is the only punter on the roster.

The Patriots released Tom Malone yesterday. Last Thursday, the team let veteran Josh Miller go.

Baugher (pronounced “Bogger”) handled all of the punting duties in last week’s preseason game against the Titans and averaged 49.3 yards on three kicks. He had a long punt of 70 yards.

The 23-year-old Baugher was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad as a free agent last October. He entered camp coming off a solid season in NFL Europa, having averaged 43.4 yards for the Rhein Fire and earning all-league honors.

Baugher averaged 44.3 yards on three punts in the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Bucs.

The Patriots also released defensive lineman Kenny Smith yesterday.

Safety Rodney Harrison was his old spirited and hard-hitting self against the Titans. Harrison broke up two passes, had three tackles and provided one of the highlights of the night with a fierce sack of quarterback Vince Young.

The Patriots play at Carolina tomorrow night, and the third preseason game is traditionally when starters get their most action. Harrison, who is coming back from two injury-filled seasons, is ready for more.

“I’m ready to play 60 minutes,” Harrison said, “but I’ll be happy just to get out there and have a chance to communicate with my defensive backs and the linebackers and to see what happens. We’re all prepared to play four quarters. I don’t know whether we’re playing one quarter or four quarters or what, but we’re always mentally and physically prepared for that.”

Harrison said every preseason game is important.

“Everyone wants to circle the third preseason game as the key game or the marquee game, but each week you try to build momentum, and you try to build confidence.

“This is a good opportunity for us to go out there and continue what we’ve been trying to build during this training camp, and we’ll see what happens.”

The Patriots’ offensive line had a rough night against the Titans — especially in the pass protection department as Brady was sacked twice and drilled on two other occasions. The Panthers’ defensive front presents a challenge and it’s one the offensive line is looking forward to tomorrow night.

“It’s obviously a great test for us,” left tackle Matt Light said. “We know we have a lot to improve on and any time you get a chance to go out there against a great opponent — they’ve played together for a long time and they’re a very physical and smart defense — we’ll have our hands full. It’s a great time for us to go out there and improve on what we’ve done to this point.”

The Panthers’ defensive line features Mike Rucker, Kris Jenkins, Maake Kemoeatu and Julius Peppers.

Peppers returned to practice Tuesday. He had been out since last Wednesday with what the team said was a fever. Coach John Fox said Peppers may not play against the Patriots.

The first mandatory roster reduction date is approaching. On Tuesday, rosters must be cut to 75 players. … The average age of players on the Patriots roster is 27. … The regular-season opener is 18 days away.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.