Julian Edelman expected to miss time with surgery on the table
The New England Patriots will head into a division game without top target Julian Edelman.
The New England Patriots are struggling to find any offensive consistency this season. Those problems might only be getting worse for Sunday’s outing against the Buffalo Bills.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman did not practice with the team on Thursday after undergoing a standard knee procedure earlier in the morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It is expected that the veteran target will miss time and surgery has yet to be ruled off the table.
Edelman, 34, has consistently found his name on the Patriots’ injury report due to lingering knee issues. Even with missing practice, he’s yet to miss a game through the first seven weeks of the season. However, a loss of this multitude, even for a game or two, could become catastrophic for New England’s chances at a postseason.
Patriots' WR Julian Edelman underwent a precautionary standard knee procedure this morning, per source. It is expected to sideline Edelman for “some period of time”, including Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2020
The Patriots wide receiver core is already limited
Edelman leads New England’s passing game with 21 receptions and 315 receiving yards. A former college quarterback, he also has completed two passes for 39 yards and rushed for 22 yards on two carries.
Edelman won’t be the only target out this week. Second-year wideout N’Keal Harry has missed practice this week after suffering a concussion in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It seems far-fetched that with limited participation, he’ll see any action at all.
Cam Newton will have his work cut out for him with the remaining targets on the roster. Between Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski and Jakobi Meyers, the trio have combined for 24 catches, 311 yards and zero touchdowns. To put matters into a better perspective, Byrd has 18 of the 24 total catches in the process.
Bill Belichick will have to decide following Sunday if New England wants to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Miami currently is sitting in second place with a 3-3 record and a loss to Buffalo will put New England at 2-5 entering the season’s midway mark. With rumors of Stephon Gilmore being available on the market, Belichick could elect to call 2020 a lost season and build fresh next year.
Edelman’s injury won’t cost New England their season, but it could give a better perspective in which direction they’re trending towards.
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