With the start of the National Football League’s regular season arriving next week, fans and fantasy football owners have been questioning the state of the New England Patriots.

The verdict of Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady’s involvement in deflating footballs could come by the end of the week.

U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman said Monday that he will be making a decision on the case no later than Friday this week.

Monday’s hearing lasted for less than five minutes, according to ESPN.com.

“It won’t be today, but hopefully tomorrow or the day after,” Berman said.

Meanwhile, the Patriots continued their preparations for the final preseason game on Thursday against the New York Giants at home.

Former Eastern quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s status for the last preseason game is still unknown.

According to ESPN’s Mike Weiss, Garoppolo received more reps at Monday’s practice, while Brady was in court.

Garoppolo said he is still preparing as if he is the starter for the Sept. 10 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“You have to come into this whether you’re a starter or backup with a starter mentality,” Garoppolo said in his weekly press conference. “You never know when your number is going to get called.”

Garoppolo threw for 126 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s 17-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

He was 13-of-17 for the game, and hit running back Dion Lewis for his only touchdown.

Brady was 7-of-13 for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions.

Another former Eastern quarterback got extended playing time in the third week of the preseason.

The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo threw for 88 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Romo was 5-of-8 passing for the Cowboys in five series.

He had played in just one series in the first two preseason games.

One of his touchdowns was a 60-yard catch and run by wide receiver Terrance Williams.

He also connected with wide receiver Lucky Whitehead on an eight-yard scramble play.

Former Eastern wide receiver Erik Lora survived this week’s cuts by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lora signed with the team last week after being cut by the Detroit Lions.

The Lions defeated the Jaguars, 22-17, on Saturday. The Jaguars will play the Washington Redskins on Thursday for their final preseason game.

Blake Nash can be reached at 581-2812 or banash@eiu.edu