SANTA CLARA — The last time Tom Brady took the field at Levi’s Stadium, he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the 49ers in Brock Purdy’s first career start. Afterward, Dre Greenlaw gamely got Brady to sign balls intercepted by Greenlaw and Tashaun Gipson.

Well, Brady celebrated his return on Sunday and appeared for a dress rehearsal that will lead him into a new career as a sports reporter at Fox Sports.

Brady will practice his analysis live as the 49ers host the New Orleans Saints in a preseason game. Brady and his Fox partner Kevin Burkhardt will commentate on the game from an outdoor box on the fourth floor, while the live broadcast will be handled by Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez and Kristina Pink.

About two hours before kickoff, Brady stood behind the south end zone and chatted with Frank Gore, the 49ers’ all-time leading runner who is in his second season as a personnel analyst for the franchise.

Also welcoming Brady, Mick Lombardi, a senior offensive assistant for the 49ers who served as an assistant quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots in 2018, was Brady’s final season in New England before he finished his career with the Bucs from 2020-2022.

Brady romped with several players on the field before kickoff, including Alvin Kamara of the Saints and Talanoa Hufanga of the 49ers, who jogged around but is on the physically unable to perform list.

Brady, 47, is a San Mateo native and Serra High product. He is also a seven-time Super Bowl champion who the 49ers wanted to sign in 2020 and again in 2023.

In Brady’s last appearance in the Bay Area, he completed 34 of 55 passes for 253 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in a 35-0 loss on December 11, 2022; Purdy completed 16 of 21 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

AIYUK’S UNKNOWN STATUS

General manager John Lynch arrived at Levi’s Stadium a few hours before kickoff and had no news to share, including the contract dispute with Brandon Aiyuk, who did not attend any of the 17 training camp practices. Aiyuk had requested a trade before training camp and a possible deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers remains on hold.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in an interview with SteelerNation.com: “I can say this about the situation: The 49ers don’t know what’s going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk. The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t know what’s going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk. The Cleveland Browns don’t know what’s going to happen with Brandon Aiyuk. The New England Patriots have opted out; they know he’s not going to be there.”

SUSPEND

The 49ers who will not play against the Saints include Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, the entire starting defensive lineup (Nick Bosa, Malik Collins, Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd), Fred Warner, Jordan Mason, Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward.

Safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum will pay for it.

PRE-SEASON AGE

For the 49ers, this was the first game since their last win: Levi’s Stadium, the scene of their comeback victory in last season’s NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions.

After the 49ers opened their preseason training last Saturday in Tennessee with a 17-13 loss to the Titans, they will play their third and final test game against the Raiders in Las Vegas on Friday, reminiscent of last season’s Super Bowl final.