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The New England Patriots were likely excited to have Julian Edelman back after the receiver missed all of 2017 with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason against the Detroit Lions. However, it appears they’re going to have to wait a little longer to get Edelman back in the lineup.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substances policy:
Patriots WR Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing substances policy, league sources tell @FieldYates and me. Suspension is under appeal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2018
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As Schefter notes, the suspension is already under appeal, so the charge could be reduced or removed altogether.
However, if the suspension is upheld by the league, it would mean Edelman would miss Week 3’s game against the Detroit Lions on “Sunday Night Football.”
That would be a lucky break for the Lions. The last time the two teams faced off, Edelman caught 11 passes for 89 yards, as the Patriots dominated the Lions 34-9.
That game was way back in 2014, so obviously the teams have changed a lot since then. However, Edelman was one of the most productive receivers in the league the last time he played. In 2016, he caught 98 passes (fourth most in NFL) for 1,106 yards (13th).