Patriots’ Bruschi Plans to Return

New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi says he plans to play next year after taking this season off to recover from a mild stroke.

Bruschi, in an interview with the Boston Globe, broke his silence about his future, which he said includes conducting a public awareness campaign about strokes.

He was stricken in February.

“I’m definitely playing next year,” he said. “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 defeated Philadelphia, 24-21, in the Super Bowl.

The Patriots put Bruschi on the physically unable to perform list, which allows them to pay him his $850,000 salary this year, and he has been working out at Gillette Stadium.

“My goal is to play football again, but it wouldn’t have been my goal if my doctors weren’t on board and my family wasn’t on board. They are,” he said.

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Indianapolis, hoping to fix a glaring weakness, reached a multiyear agreement Thursday with Corey Simon, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle released by Philadelphia in a contract dispute.

Simon wanted a long-term deal with Philadelphia and refused to sign a one-year franchise tender. The Eagles removed the franchise tag on the former first-round draft pick Sunday, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Colts were quick to pounce.

Simon, who has 32 sacks in his five-year NFL career, is expected in Indianapolis today for a physical. Coach Tony Dungy said Simon might join the team in Cincinnati for the final preseason game tonight, but he would not play.

“It’s going to be different for him,” Dungy said. “We play a completely different style than Philadelphia. He’s going to have to get used to that, get used to our terminology. It’s not going to be the type of thing where he’s going to come in and all of a sudden everything’s going to click for us. We’ve got to get him going.”

In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 tackles and 32 sacks.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2003.

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Doctors have put a stent in an artery in Trent Green’s lower left leg and put the Kansas City quarterback on blood-thinners in an effort to restore full circulation.

Green, who underwent four operations on his left knee six years ago, will not play in tonight’s exhibition at St. Louis, but does plan to be ready for the Sept. 11 season opener against the New York Jets.

“By Wednesday, I’ll be able to do everything full-go and be ready to go with no complications or problems for the opener,” he said. “That was one of the things I wanted to find out.”

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In exhibitions, Cleo Lemon, San Diego’s third-string quarterback, threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Ruvell Martin with 19 seconds left to give the Chargers a 28-24 victory over San Francisco at San Diego.... Donovan McNabb watched from the press box and Terrell Owens looked on from the bench as the New York Jets dominated the Eagles, 37-14, at Philadelphia. Chad Pennington played only one series for the Jets, completing all three of his passes and leading the offense into the end zone.

Craig Nall tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Walt Williams early in the fourth quarter and Green Bay defeated Tennessee, 21-17, at Nashville.... Tyson Thompson capped his bid to make Dallas’ roster by running for 57 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning score, in a 27-20 victory over Jacksonville at Irving, Texas.

Jared Lorenzen completed five of 13 passes for 54 yards and a 26-yard scoring pass to Jamaar Taylor to help the New York Giants to a 27-3 victory over New England at Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots’ Matt Cassel completed six of 21 passes for 45 yards in relief of Doug Flutie, who was eight for 13 for 69 yards.... Etric Pruitt scored on a 51-yard interception return and Atlanta gave up no first downs in the opening 25 minutes at Miami, helping the Falcons to a 20-17 victory over the Dolphins.

Tampa Bay intercepted David Carr passes twice in the first quarter, converting the turnovers into a field goal and touchdown on the way to a 38-14 rout of Houston at Tampa, Fla.... Charlie Frye, starting for Trent Dilfer, completed 12 of 14 passes for 186 yards, and Sultan McCullough ran 19 times for 103 yards to lift Cleveland past Chicago, 16-6, at Chicago.... Pittsburgh defeated Carolina, 21-17, but the Panthers were in a celebratory mood after the return of Stephen Davis, who had five carries for 17 yards. He is coming off surgery to his right knee.

Jamal Lewis ran for 15 yards in six carries in his exhibition debut and third-string quarterback Derek Anderson threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Randy Hymes with 12:39 left in overtime to lift Baltimore over Washington, 26-20, at Baltimore.

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Cornerback Terrell Roberts cleared waivers and was put on Cincinnati’s injured reserve list.... New England activated receiver Bethel Johnson from the physically unable to perform list and released receiver Eugene Baker.