Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman exited the team’s game against the Lions in the first quarter on Friday after he suffered a non-contact right knee injury, the Pats confirmed. Edelman limped off the field after an 18-yard reception and then went to the locker room on a cart. His injury looks “consistent” with an ACL tear, Dr. David Chao of Sirius XM tweets.
Edelman, who’s in his ninth season with the Patriots, has long been one of quarterback Tom Brady‘s favorite targets, having amassed 425 receptions and 24 touchdowns during his time in New England. The 31-year-old totaled 98 catches, a career-best 1,106 yards and three touchdowns last season and tallied 21 more receptions for 342 yards and a score during the Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning playoff run. Edelman ranks third all-time in postseason catches (89) and has been part of two Super Bowl championship teams in New England, which awarded him a two-year, $11MM contract extension in June.
A severe injury to Edelman would ostensibly damage the Patriots’ chances of winning their sixth title of the Brady/Bill Belichick era this season, though their offense would remain in an enviable position even without him. The Pats continue to boast offseason acquisition Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan, Malcolm Mitchell and Danny Amendola at wideout, while Rob Gronkowski and trade pickup Dwayne Allen lead their tight ends. They also possess multiple pass-catching running backs in James White – who, like Edelman, was instrumental in the Pats’ Super Bowl LI win over the Falcons – and Dion Lewis.
No, no, no, no……
Yes, yes, yes, yes….
I can’t stand the Pats either but cmon dude don’t cheer a human being getting hurt.
Yes, yes, yes, yes….
Terrible. Not a pats fan but this is just terrible news, really like this guy, he is a hell of a player
Exactly. A player totally self made and doing things the right way since day one. His hilight reel as a QB at Kent State was utterly impressive, he fought for every yard and was breaking ankles out there with his juking.
This sucks. With all the trades and the Gilmore signings and holding onto Butler, I thought they were just going all in on 19-0 because it was the only thing left to do, but I’m not sure it happens in the Brady era now because this is the most talented team they’ll put on the field. Edelman is crucial to the offense I hope it’s not as bad as it sounds.
If Edelman tore his ACL that’s not typically good for all the other teams in the NFL. Belichick and his teams are at their best when they have to get creative and everyone thinks oh boy the Patriots have some issues. They will adjust their offense and Belichick will probably find a guy that no one knew about to be a slot receiver. Plus this is the first year in a while that they have a true deep threat with Brandon Cooks. They also have James White and Deon Lewis catch passes out of the backfield.
Imagine if they sign Megatron they can just line them both up outside and just have them run deep routes on every play and they won’t double both. Plus with Gronk in the middle you can’t even really afford to double one of them.