New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman received a four-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Field Yates. Edelman and the Patriots are already appealing the decision, as one source told ESPN that the receiver has never tested positive despite taking “hundreds of tests.”
Edelman missed the entire 2017 season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. The year prior, he was a critical part of the Patriots' run to a Super Bowl title as Tom Brady's primary target. While New England still flourished offensively last year, Brady's numbers do take a noticeable dip without the Kent State product on the field.
Tom Brady Last 3 Years (Including Playoffs)
Edelman Edelman
On Field Off Field
Yds per att 8.1 7.6
TD-Int ratio 5.9 4.7
Total QBR 79 65 https://t.co/DoPjBK0uOy— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 7, 2018
The Patriots open the 2018 season at home against the Houston Texans before going to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, the Detroit Lions in Week 3, and back home for the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.
The 32-year-old, who is entering his 10th NFL season, will lose $470,588.20 if the suspension is upheld. It's rare that such violations are overturned, but former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was able to do so in 2012.
If Edelman misses the first quarter of the season, the bulk of the receiving load (outside of fellow top target Rob Gronkowski) will fall on new additions Jordan Matthews and Cordarrelle Patterson, as New England let Danny Amendola walk in free agency while trading Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams for a first-round pick. Edelman was an active participant in OTAs and minicamp this offseason as he wrapped up his ACL recovery.
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