Might Bruschi be coming back this season?
FOXSports.com
<!-- Meta Tag For Search --><!-- meta name="author" content=""--><!-- meta name="source" content="FS"--><!-- meta name="eventId" content=""--><!-- meta name="contentTypeCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="editorContentCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="blurb" content=""--><!-- meta name="modDate" content="September 30, 2005 21:12:45 GMT"--> Posted: 2 hours ago
<table class="bdy" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="770"> <tbody><tr valign="top"><td width="10">
</td> <td width="440"> <!-- search:</noindex> --> <script> if(fanid.length > 0 && typeof(nflDefaultLeague)!= "undefined") { leagueId = nflDefaultLeague; //find teamId of default league (if exists) for(var i=0; i < teamsInfo.length; i++){ if(teamsInfo
[4] == leagueId){ defaultTeamId = teamsInfo[0]; } } var fantasyLeaguePlayerJsPath = 'http://msnfantasy.foxsports.com' + '/nugget/200002_' + leagueId + '|||' + fanid; } </script> The injury-ravaged Patriots could possibly be getting some help on defense with the return of Tedy Bruschi this season, according to a report in the Boston Herald.
</td></tr></tbody> </table>
Bruschi, who suffered a minor stroke in February, would help shore up a ravaged New England defense, which recently lost safety Rodney Harrison for the year with a knee injury.
While Bruschi has stated he won't be returning until the 2006 season, don't be surprised if he at least pursues all avenues toward making a quicker return. Word is Bruschi is in fact seeing doctors, apparently hoping to gather enough information and data to see if it might at least be in the realm of possibility to come back sooner than he had anticipated.
The linebacker still hasn't been put on the injured reserve list, which would make him ineligible to play. He is on the physically unable to perform list, or PUP, which would allow him to return at some point after the sixth game of the season if healthy enough.
When asked Thursday about possibly coming back this season, Bruschi offered a terse, "No comment."
Bruschi's agent, Brad Blank, also refused comment.
Earlier this month, Bruschi emphatically stated he wouldn't play this year but said he was coming back in 2006.
''I'm telling you right now that's not going to happen," Bruschi told the Boston Globe right before the season started about the possibility of playing this year. ''I need to do what's best for my family and myself. ... There's a difference between living life normally and being fine and getting ready for a professional football season. I need the year to get myself ready.
''I considered playing this year. We talked about it a lot. But this is something you don't rush. It's not a sprained ankle. This is my medical health, and although I'm feeling great right now, I've also been told by my doctors some time will help. ...
"I'm definitely playing next year. That's my ace in the hole. It's a little hard to sit back and watch the guys (this season), but it's easier knowing I've got something to look forward to."
Bruschi suffered a stroke 10 days after the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in the Super Bowl — just three days after playing in his first Pro Bowl.
Bruschi confirmed that the stroke was the result of a blood clot that doctors believe traveled through a small hole in his heart. He also confirmed that he underwent a procedure in March to repair it. He said the origin and cause of the clot have never been determined.
