Yesterday we learned that the Patriots will host three key players in 2021, but the prospect of another veteran remains uncertain. Ian Rapoport, of NFL.com, reports (via Twitter) that broad veteran Julian Edelman he will continue to rehabilitate and recover from a knee injury that shortened his 2020 campaign.
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Rapoport notes that Edelman still wants to play next season, but the main concern is whether his knee will be able to withstand the rigors of another NFL season. No decision has been made, but Edelman’s status in 2021 will be directly attributed to his health. If he feels he has overcome his knee injury, he will probably be in the field.
The 34-year-old appeared in the first six New England games of the 2020 season. Thanks (in part) to seeing similar goals Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, i Brian Hoyer instead of Tom Brady, Edelman struggled to get steady numbers. Aside from a performance of eight-eight catches and 179 yards in Week 2, the expansion was limited to just 13 receptions for 136 yards and no scores in his other five games.
Of course, the former Super Bowl MVP is only retiring one season from a 1,000-yard campaign, so it may be too early to cancel Edelman. The veteran is also the only reliable reception option currently on the New England roster; ex first round N’Keal Harry has struggled during his first two NFL seasons, and the team is also looking at former free agents without recruiting Jakobi Meyers i Artillery Olszewski for the top of the depth chart. If Edelman is healthy enough to play next season, we should establish a statistical rebound.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.