Getty Julian Edelman
The New England Patriots are getting healthy at almost every position, but it still looks as if wide receiver Julian Edelman will remain sidelined for Sunday’s clash with the Houston Texans.
The wide receiver had knee surgery on October 29 and was expected to be on injured reserve for at least three weeks, according to Boston.com. Those three weeks are now up. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on November 1 that if Edelman makes it back this season, as head coach Bill Belichick said he expects, the wideout will “be playing on a knee that is bone-on-bone.” Edelman has appeared on the team’s injury report for the entire 2020 season.
On October 31, Edelman teased on Instagram, “Minor setback ⏩ major comeback.”
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Edelman Is Likely Out for the Texans Matchup
In a video conference, Belichick was asked about Edelman’s availability this week considering the veteran wide receiver is eligible to come off the injured reserve list. While he indicated Edelman’s injured knee is improving, Belichick was non-specific with his update.
He instead shared the team’s approach to testing a player who wants to come off injury:
I think we’ll do what we would normally do in that situation, and that’s to work towards that goal but not start it until we’re sure the player is ready to start. So we’ll warm them up inside, see how they feel and put them through the part of their rehab and just see where they are, where we think they are, where they feel they are relative to … starting the clock on them practicing. … It’s just really a question of whether they’re ready or not, and is that today, is it tomorrow, is it next week. I’m not sure what the time frame is on that, but I think they’re all moving in the right direction and the decisions really on this, before we start the clock, we just want to make sure that they’re confident and we’re confident that they’re ready for participation in the next stage of their return to play.
All signs are pointing to Edelman being sidelined another week at least. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and he’s still yet to be activated. With only a Friday practice remaining, it seems highly unlikely Edelman will play against the Texans on Sunday.
Patriots Have Improved in the Passing Game Without Edelman
Without Edelman in the lineup, quarterback Cam Newton has found great on-field chemistry with second-year pro Jakobi Meyers.
“It’s hard not to have a good relationship with Cam. He lights up every room he walks in. He’s a pretty genuine guy. Honestly, just getting reps with him, and being in the offense, finding my way, finding my fit in the offense took time to grow,” Meyers said during a November 19 press conference, according to NESN.
The undrafted free agent has exploded on the scene over the last two weeks, both games Edelman missed, and he looks to have established himself as the team’s No. 1 target. He was targeted 21 times and had 17 catches in those two games, for 228 yards.
“The New England Patriots have a breakout receiver in Jakobi Meyers. Finally,” PatriotsWire wrote on November 19, adding that while he’s not the fastest, biggest or strongest, he has “the two most important qualities for an NFL receiver” — he can “get open and catch the football.”
Meyers was on the field for 98% of snaps on November 15 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Meyers’ approach has been very similar to Edelman, whom he credits for much of his solid play.
The Patriots Should Be Able to Defeat the Texans Without Edelman
Even without Edelman, you would think the Patriots should be able to down the Texans. Houston comes into the game at 2-7 and dead last in rushing defense.
Houston has allowed an eye-popping 5.2 yards per carry to the opposition. The Patriots’ run game has run roughshod over many teams, and that’s especially the case in New England’s victories.
The Texans’ biggest weakness appears to be the Patriots’ most pronounced strength, and that could lead to a third consecutive win for New England. Perhaps Edelman can make it back comfortably in Week 12 when the Pats host the Arizona Cardinals.