Patriots’ Edelman out for season
New England Patriots star wide receiver
Julian Edelman will miss the 2017 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in an exhibition game.
The Patriots announced Saturday that Edelman, Tom Brady’s favorite target and one of the NFL’s most clutch receivers, would be sidelined all season after the noncontact injury in the first quarter of Friday night’s presea- son game at Detroit.
The 31-year-old Edelman headed downfield after a catch and when he planted his right foot into the turf, he tore the ligament.
Edelman, whose spectacular fourthquarter reception helped the Patriots’ record comeback win in the Super Bowl in February, signed a twoyear contract extension earlier this year. He has been, by far, Brady’s top pass catcher with 436 receptions over the past four seasons, including the playoffs.
A quarterback in college at Kent State, Edelman joined the Patriots in 2009 and became one of Brady’s most reliable receivers the next year. Last season was one of his best with 98 catches for 1,106 yards. He’s also a dangerous punt returner.
Bortles to start:
The Jacksonville Jaguars are sticking with
Blake Bortles — because of his legs. Coach Doug Marrone selected Bortles as his starting quarterback for the season opener, a surprising turnabout that said more about the team’s offensive line than its signal callers.
Marrone’s decision came a little more than a week after he opened up the job and pleaded with Bortles and veteran Chad Henne to “go out there and take it.”
Marrone said he “had enough information” to stay with Bortles. The third overall pick in the 2014 draft will make his 46th consecutive start when the Jaguars open Sept. 10 at Houston.
Going back to Bortles was a clear indictment of the team’s shaky offensive line, which has been underwhelming in three exhibition games. The Jaguars are planning to start rookie Cam Robinson at left tackle and are undecided at left guard. The right side is far from rock solid, too.
“Blake has the ability to extend plays for us, which I think is going to be helpful in what we have to get done,” Marrone said.
Gaston cut: The Detroit Lions waived defensive tackle Bruce
Gaston from injured
reserve.
The team announced the move Saturday.
Gaston hasn’t appeared in an NFL regular-season game since the 2015 season, when he played in seven for the Chicago Bears and two for the Green Bay Packers.
He made one tackle in Detroit’s preseason opener at Indianapolis on Aug. 13.