INQUIRER Sports

FOXBORO -- New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady has rejoined the team and is rehabilitating his surgically repaired knee, his teammates have indicated.

Brady's National Football League season ended in the first game, when he suffered a torn ligament in his left knee.

The reigning National Football League Most Valuable Player has since had two surgeries, but has been in New England for the past week to work out at team facilities, several of his teammates said.

"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."

Patriots Coach Bill Belichick has not commented about Brady, and it wasn't clear if the two-time Super Bowl MVP would be with the team on Thursday when they host the New York Jets in a battle for first place in the AFC East division.

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

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

Light, who also battled through a season-ending knee injury in 2005, said he admired Brady for rejoining the team.

"Whenever you're injured, it's no fun to be around that atmosphere, but you do it and you come back," Light said. "It's good for the guys, good to see him. Everyone has been worried about him, it's good to see him back in there."