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Julian Edelman led the Patriots in receiving in 2016, but missed the 2017 season with an ACL tear. (Photo: Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports)

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will be the first four games of the 2018 season for violating NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

NFL officials confirmed Tuesday that Edelman would be suspended without paying for the Patriots' first four regular-season games. ESPN had reported last month that Edelman was facing a four-game suspension.

Edelman, 32, missed the season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. He had 98 receptions in 2016, the third time in a four-year stretch that he caught over 90 pbades.

Edelman will miss a home game against Houston, trips to Jacksonville and Detroit, plus a home game against Miami. [19659020HewillbeeligibletoreturntothePatriots'activerosteronOct1enablinghimtomakehis2018debutOct4againstIndianapolis

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