The injury list just keeps on growing for the New England Patriots and this time, franchise quarterback Tom Brady was the one hit as he suffered an ankle sprain in their surprising 20–10 defeat to the Miami Dolphins Sunday. 

ESPN reported that Brady had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) last Monday that revealed the injury, which he may have sustained in the second quarter after colliding with Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. 

Following the hit, Brady needed medical attention on the sideline with his ankle getting taped. However, it did not stop him from continuing the game, ESPN added. 

The defeat to Miami gave the Patriots the number two seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) heading to the playoffs. 

Brady finished with 12 completions for 134 yards, failing to throw for a touchdown, and was sacked twice in the loss. 

Following the game, the 38-year-old quarterback was limping because of the ankle injury and admitted that he was "pretty sore."

Despite Brady hurting his ankle, the defending Super Bowl champions do not need to worry big time since their next game is on Jan. 16. 

This gives Brady ample time to rest and recover from the ankle injury, to be available when the Pats play their divisional round playoff game. 

Brady's teammate, wide receiver Matthew Slater (special teams), is not worried and said, according to NFL.com, "You never want to see 12 get hit, or 12 have an injury, he's so important to our football team ... but that guy's tough as nails. If there is one thing I know about him after playing with him eight years, not too many dudes tougher than him."

Along with the strong possibility that Brady plays on Jan. 16, another good news for New England is the potential return of wide receiver Julian Edelman in the Divisional Playoffs. 

Edelman was sidelined since November due to a foot injury, but, according to ESPN, is on track to return during the playoff game and is working out already.