FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to multiple reports.
Edelman, who missed all of 2017 with a knee injury, is a 32-year-old who has been with the Patriots since 2009.
According to ESPN, Edelman plans to appeal the suspension. If it holds, he would miss regular-season games against the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins.
Bedard's analysis
Initial thoughts:
- This is the first prominent TB12/Alex Guerrero client to be popped for PEDs. That's a big deal for Tom Brady and his business. It's also going to open the floodgates/spotlight onto TB12. I can already see ESPN's Mark Fainarui-Wada, T.J Quinn, and Steve Fainaru — the guy's responsible for Barry Bonds/BALCO — packing their bags to camp out in Foxboro to start digging into TB12.
- I don't really care about PEDs in the NFL. It's a brutal sport. Most guys are trying to find an edge, especially the ultra-competitive ones like Edelman. Sometimes the lines get blurred. It happens.
- Like Brady's suspension, Edelman sitting out the first four games coming back from ACL surgery is probably best for him and the team. Makes him more potent in the postseason.
- If Edelman loses his appeal, the Patriots do not lose a 53-man roster spot (I don't agree with that rule, but that's the rule). Edelman can practice with the team until his suspension starts. It ends the Monday after the Lions game
- Jordan Matthews, Riley McCarron, and Braxton Berrios — the Patriots' other slot receivers — now will be watched carefully. Would think Chris Hogan will get more reps there as well.