Edelman returns to practice field
He’s back.
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman participated in practice Wednesday for the first time in two months. Edelman has been designated to return off injured reserve, as has outside linebacker Shilique Calhoun, who was also back at practice.
Both players remain on injured reserve, though they could be activated to the 53man roster at any time. Edelman has been recovering from the knee surgery he underwent in late October to address a chronic injury. The 34-year-old wideout was officially placed on IR on Oct. 31.
The injury severely limited Edelman in prior weeks, when he was held to one catch in a blowout loss against the 49ers, two versus the Broncos and three at Kansas City. Most of Edelman’s receiving production this season stemmed from a career game at Seattle in Week 2, when he made eight catches for 179 yards against a Seahawks pass defense now recognized as one of the worst in the league. He’s also rushed twice for 22 yards this season and completed a pair of passes for 38 more.
His return to practice Wednesday was a welcome sight for teammates.
“Having him out there, I think it brought a little spark back to everybody — a little pep in your step,” said Pats wide receiver Gunner Olszewski. “JE11’s out there. That’s what I told him. I said, ‘It’s awesome having you out there.'”
Earlier Wednesday, Pats coach Bill Belichick described Edelman as being day-today. Should he return Sunday against the Dolphins, Edelman would figure to boost a lackluster receiving corps that’s hamstrung the Patriots’ passing game. The team hasn’t cleared 150 passing yards in four of its last five games.
“Our passing game still is not as efficient as we need it to be with really everything that’s involved,” Belichick said this week. “The protection, route distribution — which involves everybody, tight ends, backs and receivers — timing and ability to execute and create separation in man-to-man coverage. So, we continue to work on all those things.”
Over eight games earlier this season, Calhoun totaled 14 tackles, two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in a reserve role. Only twice has he taken more than 50% of the Pats’ defensive snaps in a game, including their 21-11 season-opening win over Miami. He finished that day with four tackles.
Newton, others off injury report
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton and running back Damien Harris were among those removed from the team’s injury report Wednesday.
Newton had been limited in practice the past two weeks with an abdomen injury. Harris left last Thursday’s loss at the Rams with a bad back. Rookie safety Kyle Dugger was also removed. The Pats listed 13 players as limited on Wednesday’s report, including running back James White, who is suffering from a new foot injury.
In Miami, tight end Mike Gesicki (shoulder) and safety Bobby McCain (ankle) were the only players missing at practice.
Tua talks ‘dominant’ Patriots run
Of all the famous NFL players and coaches who swung through campus during Tua Tagavailoa’s time at Alabama, there are a few that stick in his memory. Among those is Bill Belichick.
“I would also say I’ve seen Bill a good amount at Alabama. Him and Nick (Saban) are pretty good friends,” the Dolphins rookie quarterback said Wednesday. “I would say (they’re) very similar in a way with, I guess, coach Saban, with how they go about doing things. But I know that there’s going to be a lot of challenges that his defense has to offer our offense, and we just have to be prepared this week for those.”
Tagovailoa, who mentioned watching the Patriots several times growing up, said the word that first comes to mind when thinking about the franchise is dominant.
“They’ve been very dominant over the past two decades, I would say, especially when (Tom) Brady was there,” Tagovailoa said. “I think they have a really talented quarterback in Cam Newton and also with Jarrett Stidham. Their defense has always been their biggest deal. (Bill) Belichick takes pride and all of the DCs that have come there, even ‘coach Flo’ ( Brian Flores), they all take pride in their defense and what they do to stop offenses.”
Sunday will mark Tagovailoa’s first career game against the Patriots. Through his first six career starts, he’s completed 61% of his passes for 1,205 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception.
Rookie OL keeps rotating
Sixth-round rookie offensive tackle Justin Herron has already exceeded expectations this season. How can you tell?
His seven snaps played last week in Los Angeles.
Over the Patriots’ last three games, Herron has played in a rarely seen rotation at left tackle, siphoning off snaps from veteran backup Jermaine Eluemunor, while starter Isaiah Wynn remains on injured reserve. Both Herron and Eluemunor were limited in practice Wednesday with ankle injuries. Herron has also played right tackle this season and made two starts.
Belichick explained his rationale behind the rotation Wednesday, saying Herron has earned the opportunity to play.
“It’s been a combination of different circumstances, but he continues to do good things and improve,” Belichick said. “He’s still got a long way to go... but I think he’s got a chance to be able to contribute for us and potentially develop into some type of a role player.”