Edelman facing 4-game drug ban
The Patriots may have just been delivered a huge blow to their receiving corps.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substances policy, per ESPN. Edelman, 32, is appealing the suspension. The wide receiver is recovering from surgery on his right knee after he tore his ACL last year during a preseason game against the Lions, which resulted in him missing the entire 2017 season.
He participated in team drills with the Patriots this week at the team’s mandatory minicamp as he continues to work his way back and sounded optimistic about the 2018 season.
“Any time you get to go out and see the fellas, play with them, talk with them, be in the huddle and look at guys, and participate in drills, that’s what you play the game for ultimately,” he said, via the Boston Globe. “It was tough to watch it on the sidelines last year. To come out here and do little things, strap on the helmet, it put some perspective on how lucky you are to get to play the game.”
A suspension, however, will be costly for both him and the Patriots.
Edelman, entering his 10th year in the league, stands to lose $470,588.20 in base salary should the suspension be upheld while Tom Brady would be without one of his favorite targets for the first four weeks of the season.
Brady and the Patriots were able to overcome Edelman’s absence last season but questions loom about the team’s depth at receiver.
Danny Amendola signed with the Dolphins in free agency and fellow receiver Brandin Cooks was traded to the Rams for draft picks.
Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Jordan Matthews, Riley McCarron, Cody Hollister, Braxton Berrios and Matthew Slater are the current remaining options at receiver on the roster.
The Patriots open the season at home against the Texans before going on the road to face Jacksonville and Detroit then return home for the Dolphins in Week 4.
Edelman caught 98 passes for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns and had a monumental, juggling reception in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI against the Falcons that helped the Patriots overcome a 27-3 deficit and win their fifth title in franchise history.