Rapoport has an encouraging update on Julian Edelman’s injury status
Julian Edelman is dealing with a knee injury and hasn’t looked like himself in recent weeks. But the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has an encouraging update.
Dec 15, 2019; Cincinnati, OH: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman warms up prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. (David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports)
David Kohl-USA TODAYBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Julian Edelman is all sorts of banged up. He's basically Danny McBride in Pineapple Express at this point. But he's not about to miss a big-time matchup against a division rival, based on the latest from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Edelman remains on the Patriots' injury report this week with a knee injury, which you can pile on top of the chest and shoulder injuries he's also dealt with over the course of 2019. He's still listed with the shoulder in addition to the knee.
The Super Bowl LIII MVP is one of the toughest receivers in the league, though, and he's indispensable to the Patriots offense. So in Saturday's game against the Bills' stingy defense, they can't afford to be totally without him. So Rapoport's latest on Edelman is a welcome one.
"My understanding is Julian Edelman is expected to play for the Patriots on Saturday in what is a huge, huge game for them," said Rapoport. "So much at stake, you know that he’s not gonna miss this one."
There's more at stake for the Bills than the Patriots. Buffalo needs to win to have a chance at the AFC East. But the Pats will want to get the W to maintain their grasp on the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs can overtake them if they win and the Patriots lose.
Edelman moved gingerly during recent media availability at practice, but Rapoport's sources spun it positively.
"He actually moved pretty well in practice, just kind of a slow starter - [he's] probably less banged up this week than he was last week," said Rapoport. "So yes, expect Edelman to play and expect him to be close to his old self in New England."
Whether the latter part happens on Saturday is a tough proposition against the Bills defense, which has allowed the fifth-fewest yards and second-fewest touchdowns to wide receivers this season. But at least Edelman is apparently inching in the right direction, health-wise.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
