New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has fallen behind in his recovery efforts from knee surgery and could risk missing next season if another operation is needed.

Brady, who underwent surgery Oct. 6 after tearing the ACL and MCL ligaments in his left knee in the first quarter of the team’s first game of the season, had subsequent operations on the knee after it became infected.

The scar tissue also has affected Brady’s ability to begin fully rehabilitating his leg, the report said, and the repaired ligaments remain loose. Another surgery also could be needed for that condition.

New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady is likely going to miss the rest of the 2008 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. While New England coach Bill Belichick said in his postgame press conference that he had no update on the status of Brady’s injury, two sources indicated it involved quite serious damage to the knee.

Brady was injured as he stepped up in the pocket to make a throw to wideout Randy Moss. Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, who was on the ground, lunged forward and struck Brady’s leg, which buckled as he released the ball. Brady was assisted off the field and was later led down stairs by team officials to undergo tests.

Fourth-year quarterback Matt Cassel, who had thrown just 39 passes in his career before Sunday, replaced Brady and completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.

A new article on CBS Sports lists the top 50 players in the NFL right now. No big surprises on the list.

1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
4. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots
5. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos
6. Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans
7. Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts
8. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
9. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
10. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings
11. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers
12. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
13. Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
14. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee Titans
15. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
16. Walter Jones, T, Seattle Seahawks
17. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Charles Woodson, CB, Green Bay Packers
19. Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings
20. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
21. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
22. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
23. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens
24. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
25. Dwight Freeney, DE, Indianapolis Colts
26. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
27. Jason Peters, T, Buffalo Bills
28. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
29. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders
30. Richard Seymour, DE, New England Patriots
31. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
32. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears
33. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
34. Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland Browns
35. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
36. Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears
37. Asante Samuel, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
38. Shawn Andrews, G, Philadelphia Eagles
39. Ernie Sims, LB, Detroit Lions
40. Lofa Tatupu, LB, Seattle Seahawks
41. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots
42. Osi Umenyiora, DE, New York Giants
43. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers
44. Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns
45. Aaron Kampman, DE, Green Bay Packers
46. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
47. Marcus Trufant, CB, Seattle Seahawks
48. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
49. Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
50. Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears