By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
FOXBORO, Mass. — Julian Edelman spoke to reporters on Friday about the state of the Patriots’ wide receiver corps, which you can watch in the video above.
As it stands entering Friday, both Phillip Dorsett (concussion) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle) have been absent or limited in practice. Both were present for stretching on Friday, but Sanu was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday and Thursday as he deals with a reported high ankle sprain. Dorsett, meanwhile, was upgraded to limited on Thursday.
If neither can play on Sunday, that would leave rookies N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers as the only other healthy receivers behind Edelman. At the end of the day, those three need to worry about what they can control, which is to get ready for the game the best they can.
“We’re just continually trying to improve, go out and practice hard, and do what we have to do to make plays in the game, and that’s what we’re gonna try to continue to do,” said Edelman.
On Harry’s return to the practice field and progress so far, Edelman said simply: “Him being out there is helping him, so that’s good.”
It would only be human for the rookies to put more pressure on themselves or worry about trying to do too much in the absence of a pair of veteran receivers. But the important thing is they worry about themselves and not what’s going on with the other receivers.
“I think everyone just needs to worry and focus on what they’re given and what the coaches have planned for us,” said Edelman. “So, the more you worry bout yourself the better you prepare yourself going into a game. And I think that’s the best way for us to continually try to improve.”
If the Patriots continue to play in three-receiver sets as often as they have in the past two games, it’s likely we’ll see Harry and Meyers playing almost every snap. It could be a massive opportunity for the rookies to make a major impact on an offense that’s had trouble finding consistency from game-to-game, drive-to-drive, play-to-play.
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.