Patriots Wide Receiver Julian Edelman Facing A 4-Game Suspension On PED Charges

After missing all 19 of his team’s games during the 2017-18 season and postseason, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman could end up adding more to that number, as he is currently facing a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policies surrounding performance-enhancing substances.

Edelman’s trainer, Alex Guerrero, issued a formal statement in which he said, “I’ve known Julian since his rookie year and he is a phenomenal athlete who takes his training seriously-it’s disappointing to hear today’s news. Elite athletes sometimes work with multiple coaches and health professionals as part of their training. Here at our facility, we take a natural, holistic, appropriate and, above all, legal approach to training and recovery for all of our clients. And anyone who would suggest otherwise is irresponsible, and just plain wrong.”

Edelman missed all of last season after tearing his ACL on a non-contact play during last year’s preseason. If this suspension were to hold up, he would miss the Patriots’ opening 4 games against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins.

This could prove to be a pretty big blow for the Patriots, who lost wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola in the offseason. Edelman has proven himself to be one of quarterback Tom Brady‘s favorite targets along with tight end Rob Gronkowski, recording 1,106 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 98 receptions over the 2016-17 season. Up until this point in time, the Patriots have made it seem as though they still find success even when a player who doesn’t where the number 12 on his jersey, so they should still be successful. However, Edelman is the most seasoned of New England’s wide receivers, especially given the fact that their receiving core is almost completely brand new. This could prove to be troublesome in their Week 2 matchup against Jacksonville, who possess what is arguably the most dominant defense in the NFL. Nonetheless, the Patriots will more likely than not be perfectly fine without Edelman on the field.

If his suspension does hold up, Edelman will be first eligible to take the field against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.