Patriots are grappling with replacing Edelman
Julian Edelman’s shoes will be tough to fill, but the New England Patriots have a capable candidate in Danny Amendola.
Edelman broke his left foot during the first quarter of New England’s last-second win over the New York Giants on Sunday, leaving quarterback Tom Brady without his top wide receiver.
Amendola played admirably, making 10 catches for 79 yards against the Giants, and the Patriots will need a similar performance Monday night against Buffalo to remain unbeaten.
“I’m just going to focus on my abilities and what I can do,” said Amendola, now in Year 3 with New England. “Try to put the best product on the field.”
Amendola signed with the Patriots in March 2013, around the same time fanfavorite Wes Welker left in free agency to join Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
Ever since then, Amendola has played second fiddle to Edelman.
“He’s a great player,” Amendola said. “He did a lot for our offense, made a lot of big plays.”
Aaron Dobson, a third-year receiver with 12 catches for 124 yards in seven games, also could help fill the void despite playing in just under 30 percent of the Patriots’ snaps.
“His timing, his overall technique and consistency has improved,” New England head coach Bill Belichick said. “I know it doesn’t always show up on Sundays, but I’d say he’s had a good year.”
Edelman had been Brady’s favorite target through nine games, leading the team with 61 catches — 12 more than tight end Rob Gronkowski — for 692 yards and seven touchdowns.
“You wish you could just plug someone else in, but that’s impossible,” Brady said. “Julian Edelmans just aren’t sitting out on the street, or else they’d be playing for another team.”
Amendola has 19 fewer catches than Edelman, totaling 403 yards and two touchdowns this season, but has done enough to earn the trust of his coach — dating back to his Patriots debut in 2013 when he had 10 catches for 104 yards in a season-opening victory against the Bills.
Rodgers limited: Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was limited in practice with a right shoulder injury.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said before practice that Rodgers was “banged up.” Rodgers agreed with that assessment, though he said he was not concerned about his availability for Sunday’s game at Minnesota.
Still, Rodgers’ health is just the latest worrisome issue for the Packers’ sluggish offense. A three-game skid has dropped Green Bay a game back of the NFC North-leading Vikings.
Briefly: Washington running back Silas Redd has been suspended four games without pay while on injured reserve for violating the NFL’s policy for substances of abuse. ... Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer missed practice because of a concussion and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick expects to start at Houston despite not practicing and his thumb being in a bit more pain after having surgery. ... Defensive end Chris Long was a full participant in St. Louis’ practice, making it likely he’ll return after missing four games with a knee injury.