New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi has been cleared by team doctors and could return to practice this week, eight months after suffering a mild stroke. Bruschi, 32, originally planned to take a year off after the stroke in February and surgery to repair a small hole in his heart a month later. But as his health improved, Bruschi started traveling to see specialists and got favorable reports. Bruschi was cleared to return to practice this week, though the Patriots said the timetable for his return will be left up him and his family. "Physically, Tedy is completely back to normal, and is completely healthy," said Dr. David Greer, a specialist from Massachusetts General Hospital who has monitored Bruschi since his stroke. "I have no doubt that he will be able to perform physically at a very high level. Tedy's safety, on and off the field, has always been our number one priority. At this time, I have advised him that, in my opinion, there are no medical reasons for him to delay his return to football."