Patriots should get extra time to make roster move on Tom Brady return

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Quarterback Tom Brady and defensive end Rob Ninkovich return from four-game suspensions on Monday, but if recent NFL precedent applies, the club shouldn’t have to make roster moves to account for them until later in the week. Teams are usually granted a short-term roster exemption for players returning from suspension, with the most recent example coming last week with Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who was reinstated Monday while the club had until Thursday at 4 p.m. ET to clear a spot for him on the roster. As I understand it, the exemptions are related to the Patriots’ signing of tight end…