FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Two things were certain Saturday when the New England Patriots put on pads for the first time at training camp: The home fans sure do love Tom Brady, and the quarterback’s suspension and court case haven’t affected his accuracy.

In between raucous cheers that started when he ran onto the field, Brady was strong and precise with his passing. He completed 12 consecutive passes during 11-on-11 work and also lofted a nifty touchdown pass to Danny Amendola during a goal-line drill.

New England quarterback Tom Brady was all smiles and as popular as ever during a training camp session on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. The Associated Press

“Tom’s our leader,” Amendola said.

And he’s loved by Patriots fans, many of whom donned No. 12 jerseys and chanted “Brady! Brady!” as he jogged onto the practice field. Brady raised his hand and acknowledged the crowd. He later signed autographs, then once again shunned the media.

Since the NFL upheld the four-game suspension for his role in allegedly tampering with football air pressure in last season’s AFC title game, Brady has remained mum outside a Facebook post in which he maintained his innocence.

The issue now is expected to be decided in a New York court before the start of the season. Meanwhile, Coach Bill Belichick and the Super Bowl champs are insisting it’s business as usual.

“You’re just trying to do what you have to do for that play at that particular time,” rookie guard Tre Jackson said, “no matter if Tom Brady or Jimmy Whoever is behind you.”

That would be Jimmy Garoppolo, the 2014 second-round pick who would likely replace Brady if the suspension holds. Garoppolo took some snaps with the first team, although continued to do the majority of his work with the backups.

Garoppolo also looked sharp, with Aaron Dobson a trusty target. “Jimmy’s continuing to improve,” Amendola said. “He’s learning the ways of the NFL.”

The Patriots also had a new look in the backfield, as LeGarrette Blount made his debut. The running back worked with the starters after being on the physically unable to perform list for the first two days of camp.

Blount, who will serve a one-game suspension in the season opener Sept. 10 against Pittsburgh for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, failed his conditioning test, according to The Boston Globe. But Blount declined to specify why he was out.

“I don’t know,” he said.

What, exactly, does the conditioning test entail?

“Conditioning,” Blount said. “It’s a test, a conditioning test.”

Combine that with Belichick not speaking to reporters and it seemed like a normal day for the Patriots: tight-lipped and led by their dynamic quarterback.

“He’s been doing it for a long time on a very high level,” Amendola said of Brady. “He gets a lot of guys going and we love playing with him.”

JETS: Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith has a partially punctured lung, as well as broken ribs, and is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

Smith was injured at practice Friday while making an impressive catch, and the team announced he would miss the majority of the remainder of training camp. The Jets confirmed Saturday that Smith also has the lung injury, but said it wouldn’t affect the timetable for wide receiver’s return.

PANTHERS: Panthers wide receiver Stephen Hill was carted off the field with a right leg injury.

Hill attempted to make a catch across the middle during an afternoon practice in intense heat, but came down wrong on his leg and fell to the ground screaming in pain.

Panthers assistant coach Steve Wilks said after practice he had no immediate word on the extent of the injury.

49ERS: On the opening day of his first NFL training camp, former Australian league rugby star Jarryd Hayne reiterated how sorry he is for offensive comments last month about Jews that drew criticism from the Anti-Defamation League and others.

“Obviously I addressed it and obviously deeply sad if I hurt anybody,” Hayne said Saturday after previously apologizing while back home in July.

The rookie running back and kick returner is trying to win a spot on San Francisco’s 53-man roster out of camp in what is sure to be a daunting transition to the NFL.

RAIDERS: After being a spectator for most of the offseason program following major hip surgery, Sio Moore was taken off the physically unable to perform list and practiced for the first time at linebacker.

BROWNS: Jimmy Haslam vowed to be patient and not make more changes if things go poorly this season.

As Haslam enters his third year of ownership, there are lingering questions about the futures of Coach Mike Pettine and General Manager Ray Farmer. But on the third day of training camp – the Browns’ first in full pads – Haslam made his strongest statement yet on his top football men, saying he’ll stay the course no matter which way the upcoming season goes.

“We’re not going to blow things up, OK? I think we are on the right track and will not blow things up.”

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