Julian Edelman is sorry. That much is clear from what the veteran New England Patriots wideout wrote on his official Instagram account shortly following his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy on Friday.

“I am very sorry,” Edelman wrote. “I don’t know what happened. I’ve taken many, many tests obviously over the course of my career, and nothing like this has ever happened. I apologize to the Kraft family, my coaches, teammates and fans. As this matter is being appealed, I can’t say anymore but no matter what, I will be ready to play and pursue another championship with our team and for Patriots fans around the world.”

The apology contained everything except the specifics on how this could have possibly happened.

It's not surprising. Rather, it's the norm. Players in this situation never allow themselves to say anything that could indict them later down the road. Edelman stayed on the correct track in this instance.

Edelman, 32, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Pats circa the 2009 NFL Draft out of Kent State (where quarterback was his pride and joy). From the get-go, he was a Wes Welker clone, ready to step in anytime the veteran slot man went down via injury.

After four years of taking a backseat, Edelman broke through in a big way during the 2013 season with 1,056 yards and six scores on 105 receptions. Twenty-seventeen was, by far, his worst season as a pro due to the fact he missed it due to a season-ending injury during the summer of 2017.

Julian Edelman will now have to sit out four games to make his NFL return.