Bruschi suffered a mild stroke at his home in February, less than ten days after the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years. He was rushed to the hospital after complaining of numbness in his left arm and leg.

The Boston Globe reported last month that doctors believe the stroke was the result of a blood clot that traveled through a small hole in his heart. He had surgery in March to repair the hole.

Bruschi is apparently keen to return to the fray and help out a defence that has been hit hard by injuries.

The Patriots (3-2) play their sixth game on Sunday in Denver.