The latest validation that Tom Brady is back from the devastating knee injury that erased his 2008 season arrived this morning, when the NFL named Brady the AFC Offensive Player of the Month.

Brady led the Patriots to a 3-1 record this month, including a 59-0 pasting of the Tennessee Titans. He completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 1,161 and 12 touchdowns, five of which he threw in the record-setting second quarter against the Titans.

It is the third time that Brady has won the award. He also won in September and October 2007, the first two months of the Patriots’ undefeated regular season and the last full season Brady played.

For the season, Brady has thrown for 290 yards per game (third in the NFL) with 15 touchdowns (tied for second) and four interceptions while completing 65.6 percent of his passes.