Brady back working out with Patriots

Nov 11, 2008 - 10:26 PM FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Tom Brady is back with the New England Patriots - in their workout room.

The superstar quarterback, sidelined for the entire season after suffering a knee injury in Week One, has been in New England for the past week to rehab from a pair of surgeries.

Brady has not made himself available to the media, but several Patriots players confirmed Tuesday that the reigning NFL MVP returned to the team at least a week ago.

"He's in great spirits," said quarterback Matt Cassel, who has led the Patriots to a 6-3 record in the wake of Brady's injury. "He's just healing and getting better.

"I don't know what his status is right now or what his plans are, but every time I talk to him he seems in good spirits."

In typical secretive fashion, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not mention Brady.

It is uncertain if the two-time Super Bowl MVP will be with the team for Thursday night's showdown with the rival New York Jets (6-3), a game which will determine first place in the AFC East.

Brady suffered torn ligaments in his left knee in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and has undergone two surgeries.

The first operation, performed in Los Angeles, repaired the ligaments but reportedly left Brady with a staph infection in his knee, prompting the second surgery.

Brady was not in the locker room during Tuesday's open media session, but a large knee brace was spotted in front of his locker.

Patriots left tackle Matt Light said it was "good to see" Brady during his weekly appearance on Boston radio station WAAF.

"It's good to see him, good to have him back in there," Light said during the interview. "He comes in (to the locker room)."

Light, who also had a season-ending knee injury in 2005, claimed that he admires Brady for rejoining the team.

"Look, I was there (rehabbing a knee injury) and it's tough, it really is," Light told WAAF. "Whenever you're injured, it's no fun to be around that atmosphere, but you do it and you come back.

"It's good for the guys, good to see him. Everyone's been worried about him, it's good to see him back in there."