Patriots' Tom Brady improving ahead of play-offs

New England Patriots received a boost ahead of their NFL play-off opener next week as Tom Brady's ankle injury continues to improve.

Brady suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's clash with the Miami Dolphins, the quarterback noticeably limping after being hit by Ndamukong Suh.

The Patriots sent their star man for a precautionary MRI scan that confirmed the 38-year-old had not suffered any serious damage, and his latest update will provide another boost.

As the AFC's number two seed, the Patriots have a bye this weekend before the divisional round on January 16-17.

"Feeling better. Better than I was a couple days ago," Brady said during a media conference.

"Mentally, I'm ready to go. Physically, you always want to feel your best and I think you've just got to work as hard as you can at doing the right things to get to that point, so that's where I feel like I'm at.

"[The] football season is a challenge in a lot of ways for a lot of people. I think I'm always up for a challenge."