Former USC Trojans defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who collapsed Wednesday morning at Philadelphia Eagles training camp, has been diagnosed with a congenital brain condition called arteriovenous malformation. The 27-year old Patterson remains at Lehigh Valley hospital. NFL.com described Patterson's condition:
AVM, which is the tangling of blood vessels near the skull, requires either surgery, radiation therapy or endovascular embolization.
Team trainer Rick Burkholder said the seizure lasted about four minutes, and Patterson lost consciousness at one point as he was on the ground.
"We are very grateful for everyone's prayers and support," Patterson's agent JR Ricket told Sal Paolantonio of ESPN. "Mike will be back at practice as soon as the doctors clear him." Understandably, there is no timetable for Patterson's return.
The USC athletic department tweeted well wishes to the former Trojan:
The Trojan Family sends our thoughts and prayers to former USC DT Mike Patterson who has a brain condition. Fight on!
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