There’s some mystery surrounding Julian Edelman‘s positive test for a performance-enhancing substance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Edelman will get off scot-free, as Mike Florio of PFT writes.
Edelman reportedly tested positive for a substance that wasn’t immediately recognizable, but the PED policy dictates that players can be suspended for “substances with a similar chemical structure and similar biological effect(s)” to the 71 specifically banned substances. The league will have to make its case in Edelman’s appeal, but the presence of the catch-all language in the PED policy could swing arbitration in its favor.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- If Edelman’s suspension holds up, there may be a roster spot open for another wide receiver. Assuming Malcolm Mitchell opens the season on the PUP list, Doug Kyed of NESN.com predicts the Patriots will carry Kenny Britt, Jordan Matthews, Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Matt Slater, and Braxton Berrios on their opening day roster.
- Outside of Sam Darnold and fourth-round tight end Chris Herndon, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY isn’t sure that any member of the team’s draft class will make an immediate impact. The Jets have high hopes for third-round defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd, but he may struggle in his first year out of Division II Fort Hays State.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has some details on cornerback Bobby McCain‘s new four-year, $27MM extension with the Dolphins. The deal lowered his cap hit for 2018 from $1.9MM to $1.5MM, giving Miami a little bit of extra wiggle room this year. Meanwhile, he has no guarantees on his deal beyond the 2020 season. McCain’s deal should keep him under team control through 2022.
You forgot Slater there’s no way pats cut him he’s the heart of the special teams