New England Patriots: Julian Edelman facing four-game suspension

New England Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman, is facing a four-game ban from the league.

The New England Patriots wide receiver group is undergoing an overhaul this season. Two big contributors from last season, Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks, are no longer with the team. Amendola left in free agency to sign with the Miami Dolphins, while Cooks was traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

Replacing two of their more productive receivers from last season would not be easy. However, the Patriots were going to get a big boost from Julian Edelman.

Edelman missed the 2017 season with a torn ACL. However, he was participating in offseason workouts already this year. He reportedly looked good in organized team activities and was creating some buzz. However, a damper was put on that buzz.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Edelman is facing a four-game ban because of a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

As Schefter also adds, Edelman will appeal the suspension. However, that process rarely works out in the player’s favor. It is likely that Edelman’s return to the field will be delayed a little longer than anticipated.

More from Musket Fire

• What trading Mac Jones during the draft can do for the Patriots
• Best and worst draft picks during the Bill Belichick era
• Early round Patriots draft picks you’ll hate now, love later
• Musket Fire Roundup: Our own final predictions for round 1
• Breaking down the Patriots’ options in the 2023 NFL Draft

Without Edelman, presumably for the first four games of the season, a lot of pressure will be put on Chris Hogan. Hogan had 34 receptions in an injury-plagued 2017. That is the most receptions of a returning wide receiver. The next closest is Phillip Dorsett, who had only 12.

Along with Hogan, the Patriots will be relying on veterans such as Cordarrelle Patterson and Jordan Matthews, who were both acquired this offseason. Patterson was acquired in a trade with the Oakland Raiders, whole Matthews signed as a free agent.

The Patriots have the depth to overcome Edelman’s absence, they did play without him for all of 2017. However, it can be argued that the group isn’t as talented this year. That is where the improved depth will come in handy.

Next: 53-Man Roster Prediction: Wide Receiver

While Edelman won’t be able to play the first month of the season, there is still plenty of talent to pick up the slack. All-world tight end Rob Gronkowski is still around and the Patriots are loaded at running back. Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels and company should be just fine the first few weeks without Edelman.