Brady’s surgery puts Cassel in Pro Bowl

A person with knowledge of the operation said Tom Brady had surgery Thursday on his right foot.

The surgery for a stress fracture took place and the New England Patriots’ quarterback “is doing good,” the person said on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made by the team.

Comcast SportsNet New England reported that a screw was inserted in the navicular bone, one of the small bones on the midfoot.

Brady was listed on the Patriots’ injury report with a foot injury for the last eight regular-season games and a playoff game, a 28-21 loss to the New York Jets.

Brady led the NFL in passer rating, touchdown passes (36) and fewest interceptions (four). He also threw for 3,900 yards.

Because of the surgery, Matt Cassel is again coming off the bench to replace Brady.

The first time it happened, Cassel went from anonymous backup in New England to starting quarterback in Kansas City with a $60 million contract. This time, it means he is headed to his first Pro Bowl.

“There are so many crazy things, when you look back, about Tom having an injury and me getting my chance,” Cassel said. “It’s really weird.”

Titans cuts ties to Cecil

Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher decided not to keep Chuck Cecil as his defensive coordinator after two seasons in which the Titans ranked among the NFL’s worst in yards allowed.

Around the league

Leslie Frazier made two additions to the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff, picking Craig Johnson as quarterbacks coach and Jeff Davidson as offensive line coach. … Prosecutors dropped domestic violence charges against former Denver Broncos linebacker Kevin Alexander after the woman he was accused of hitting refused to cooperate. Deputy Aurora (Colo.) City Attorney George Zierk said authorities asked a judge to drop the case after the woman moved to South Carolina and failed to show up for Alexander’s trial.