The Globe's Shira Springer, citing NFL sources, reports today that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.
The article goes on to say that it takes 4-6 weeks for the MCL to heal itself and only after that can they do the surgery to repair the ACL. Which then will take about 6-9 months of recovery.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/09/sources_brady_t.html
For comparison Ronnie Brown tore just his ACL. Daunte Culpepper tore his ACL, MCL and PCL. So, Tom Brady's injury is in between those. From what I have read, a PCL is tear is not as serious as an ACL or MCL tear.
Tom Brady will be back next year, but there is a chance we may never seen the same Brady again. He will be 32 at the start of next season, and is coming off a very serious knee injury. Sucks for the Patriots and their fans(I know because I was crushed when Ronnie went down last year). It appears the AFC East may shift to a new team sooner rather than later.