After brain surgery, Eagles DT Mike Patterson practices

Patterson is still hoping to make a return this season. (US Presswire)

In August 2011, Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson suffered a seizure that led doctors to diagnose him with a brain AVM (basically, several blood vessels in his brain had become intertwined) that would require surgery.

Good news: Though Andy Reid said in August 2012 that Patterson wouldn't play this year after recovering from the offseason surgery, Patterson actually returned to practice on Monday.

That's according to CSN Philly, which wrote that Patterson couldn't stop smiling.

“It felt great,” said Patterson, 29. “Was a change of pace, too. Don't have to watch practice through the window anymore.”

Patterson was cleared last week to begin practicing. Though he's not close to being activated -- he'd have to be ready to play after Week 9 or he'll have to be placed on the IR list --the fact he was on the practice field with his teammates was rejuvenating to the seven-year veteran.

“I feel very excited,” Patterson said. “I was kind of jittery. But after getting into the swing of this and meetings and stuff, [it] goes away and [you] kind of take it in and everything's happy. I'm just happy to be out here.

“It's always good being out there with the fellas. It's been tough, definitely. Just taking it one day at a time and doing as much as I can.”

But Patterson also wants to play this year.

“Most definitely,” he said. “I never counted myself out. Always feel like I bring something to the table. Just a matter of time. I have to be patient, continue to work, do as much as I can at practice and wait till they call me up.”

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