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FOXBORO, Mass. – A man of lesser importance could have been absent from the practice of the New England Patriots on Wednesday. But distant receiver Julian Edelman was with his other teammates, albeit limited.
Edelman was injured in the chest in the second quarter of Sunday's 30-14 win over the New York Jets and did not return after half-time. He would have tested on his injury, but should have checked before hitting the practice field on Wednesday.
"Jules is crazy, however," said security guard Devin McCourty on Wednesday. "It's one of the most difficult types I've played with, so never count it. I mean, he was saying this Sunday. He said that he will do his best and do everything he has to do. So I'm not surprised by what he's doing. Since arriving here in 2010, he has always been a tough guy. Even in the years he was injured in the reserve and you knew he would not come back, if you saw him in the locker room or working, you'd swear he'd come back for the playoffs or something kind. So, he's always been a tough guy. "
The Patriots take the Bills Sunday at Buffalo. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Edelman for his "hard, hard, physical" playing style and explained how rare it is to use these adjectives on a wide receiver.
"I said after the match, he was as tough as they would come," said quarterback Tom Brady. "He has faced a lot. You know, he's a very, very tough guy. He will do everything in his power to prepare to leave. Certainly, when he is there, it will greatly stimulate our attack. He does so much for us and he is so reliable, consistent – he is an excellent player. When he's not outside, it's really noticeable to all of us. Hopefully he can do it, and if he can not, the other guys have to do their job and do the best job possible. So, you just have to get ready for both. "
Josh Gordon and Phillip Dorsett would be the receivers of Patriots # 1 and # 2 if Edelman could not play. Unprepared rookie Jakobi Meyers would serve as third receiver with Gunner Olszewski and Matthew Slater as depth. The Patriots will undoubtedly also use James White and Rex Burkhead in the passing game.
Miniature Photo via Greg M. Cooper / USA TODAY Sports
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