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We heard yesterday that the Patriots will welcome three key players again in 2021, but the outlook for another veteran remains uncertain. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran Julian Edelman will continue to readjust and recover from a knee injury that shortened his 2020 campaign.
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Rapoport notes that Edelman still wants to play next season, but the main concern is whether his knee will be able to withstand the rigors of another NFL season. No decision has been made, but Edelman’s status in 2021 will be directly attributed to his health. If he feels like he’s gotten over his knee injury, he’ll likely be on the court.
The 34-year-old appeared in New England’s first six games of the 2020 season. Thanks (in part) to seeing targets like Cam Newton, Jarrett stidham, and Brian Hoyer instead of Tom brady, Edelman struggled to come up with consistent numbers. Aside from an eight-strike, 179-yard performance in Week 2, the draw was limited to just 13 receptions for 136 yards and no scores in its other five games.
Of course, the former Super Bowl MVP is only one season removed from a 1,000-yard campaign, so it may be too early to write off Edelman. The veteran is also the only reliable receiving option currently on the New England roster; old first round N’Keal Harry wrestled in his first two seasons in the NFL, and the team are otherwise eyeing former undrafted free agents Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski for the top of the depth graph. If Edelman is healthy enough to play next season, we should build a statistical rebound.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
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