Tough luck for the Pats: Julian Edelman’s suspension appeal is denied

As expected, New England’s star wide receiver will have to sit out for four games.

There was very, very slim hope for the New England Patriots that they might get to start the 2018 NFL season with their No. 1 receiver on the field.

A few weeks ago, Julian Edelman was issued a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy. Edelman himself appeared to be just as confused as anyone else about how this happened, and he quickly decided to appeal the suspension in hopes that he could get back on the field for the season opener against the Houston Texans.

Those hopes were officially dashed on Tuesday, however, as Edelman’s appeal was denied, and he’ll have no other option but to sit out for the first four games of the season, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

As a result of the suspension, Edelman will miss the season opener at home against Houston, as well as two road games Jacksonville and Detroit before finishing with a home game against Miami. Ultimately, this will only be a minor setback for the Patriots as they try reach their third consecutive Super Bowl. Quarterback Tom Brady has a reputation for making average wide receivers look like Hall of Famers, and he’ll find a way to get through the first four games throwing to guys like Chris Hogan and Jordan Matthews, and maybe even rookie Braxton Berrios.

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Missing Edelman will still be a bummer for himself and for the fans, though, as he hasn’t been on the field since Super Bowl LI. He missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL, and with the departure of Danny Amendola in free agency, having Edelman back would’ve been huge for New England’s offense.

Fortunately, he’ll still be back in 2018. Everyone will just have to wait a little bit longer.