Julian Edelman Loses Appeal, Four-Game Suspension Upheld
Edelman will have to sit out the Patriots’ first four games of the 2018 season.
Jul 27, 2017, Foxborough, MA, USA: New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsJulian Edelman will officially have to serve his four-game suspension to start the 2018 season. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported on Tuesday that Edelman's appeal was denied, meaning his ban will be upheld.
Edelman now has to sit out Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Week 2 at the Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 3 at the Detroit Lions, and Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins. He'd reportedly hoped to win his appeal on the grounds that the NFL mishandled the results of his positive test.
The veteran receiver was set to return from a torn ACL suffered during the 2017 preseason, costing him the entire campaign. In 2016, he led the Patriots with 98 catches and 1,106 yards.
New England will have to start the season building a receiver depth chart from a group including Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt, Riley McCarron, Cody Hollister, Braxton Berrios, and special teams captain Matthew Slater.
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