The New England Patriots will probably have to do without Julian Edelman for four games at the start of the coming season, the Wide Receiver has been banned due to the ingestion of prohibited substances. Although he has filed an appeal, Edelman has already apologized.
Via Instagram Edelman announced on Friday: “I am very sorry. I don’t know how that happened. Of course I have been tested very, very often during my career and nothing like this has ever happened. I apologize to the Kraft family, my coaches, my teammates and our fans.”
However, he could not give any further details: “While my objection is pending, I cannot say any more. But no matter what happens, I will be ready to go for another title with our team and get it for Patriots fans all over the world”.
If the barrier remains, Edelman would miss the games against Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit and Miami. At the same time, the compulsory break would give the 32-year-old, who had missed the entire pre-season due to a cruciate ligament rupture, the opportunity to get fit again over a somewhat longer period of time.
After the Patriots have already lost Danny Amendola (Miami Dolphins) and brandin cooks (Los Angeles Rams) via trade during the offseason, the Edelman ban also provides for a personal puzzle in the receiver corps.
But the Pats have several options at their disposal, among others the newly signed Jordan Matthews could take over the slot. It is also conceivable that the running backs James White and Rex Burkhead and rookie Sony Michel will temporarily play an even more prominent role in passing.