Patriots linebacker Bruschi diagnosed with slight stroke
New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a mild stroke but is walking, talking and in good spirits, the team said Thursday.
Bruschi experienced temporary numbness, blurred vision and headaches Wednesday night and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“It has been determined that these symptoms were the results of a mild stroke,” team spokesman Stacey James said. “Tedy is in good condition and, as always, his spirits are high. He is walking and talking normally and stressed that he would like to thank everyone for keeping him and his family in their thoughts and prayers.”
The Patriots said Bruschi could be released from the hospital as soon as today.
A nine-year NFL veteran, Bruschi is the centerpiece of the Patriots defense that helped the team win three of the past four Super Bowls, including a 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 6.
On Sunday, Bruschi, 31, played in his first Pro Bowl.
Chargers put faith in Brees
The San Diego Chargers used their franchise tag on quarterback Drew Brees, who led them to their first playoff berth in nine seasons and was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Brees was tagged as a non-exclusive franchise player, meaning he can still negotiate with other teams. Should Brees receive an offer from another team, the Chargers can either match the new club’s offer, or receive two first-round choices from that club as compensation.
As a non-exclusive franchise player, Brees received a one-year contract offer of just more than $8 million, the average of the top five salaried quarterbacks from last season.
The Chargers could try to trade Brees, but a team interested in him would want to negotiate a long-term contract before finalizing a deal.
Around the league
Tennessee Titans safety Tank Williams, 24, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after Nashville, Tenn., police said an officer saw his car make a rolling stop at a downtown intersection. Williams declined to speak to reporters as he left the Criminal Justice Center after being booked and posting a $1,000 bond. … Former Dallas head coach Dave Campo, 57, joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as assistant head coach and secondary coach. Campo spent the past two seasons as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator. … The Pittsburgh Steelers are replacing the much-maligned turf at Heinz Field — again. The work began before the NFL Players’ Association released a player survey earlier this month rating it among the five worst playing surfaces in the league. Two years ago, the Steelers installed DD GrassMaster – a hybrid surface that combines real sod with synthetic fibers.