PATS STAR EDELMAN RULED 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 a preseason 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 non-contact injury in the first quarter of Friday night’s preseason 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.

He has been, by far, Brady’s top pass catcher with 436 receptions over the past four seasons, including the playoffs.

Blake Bortles is getting another shot as Jacksonville’s starting quarterback.

Coach Doug Marrone made the surprising announcement Saturday, naming Bortles his starter for the opener at Houston and ending any uncertainty heading into the preseason finale.

Bortles presumably did enough in Thursday’s exhibition loss to Carolina to keep the starting job he’s had the last three years. The third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft will make his 46th consecutive start when the Jaguars open the season Sept. 10 at Houston.

Bortles delivered his best outing of the preseason, finishing with a touchdown and an interception. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 125 yards, playing mostly against backups in the second half.

The Chiefs could be without top running back Spencer Ware for the first portion of the season after he hurt his right knee in Friday night’s preseason game in Seattle. The initial diagnosis was a sprain but Ware was due for an MRI exam Saturday amid reports he injured one of his ligaments.

If that’s the case, he could miss anywhere from several weeks to the entire season.