Training camp hasn’t even started for the New England Patriots, yet injuries are already piling up. According to ESPN’s Field Yates and Adam Schefter, wide receiver Julian Edelman is currently battling a thumb injury and won’t participate for about three weeks. This injury is obviously unfortunate, but it’s not all bad news. The Patriots can actually turn Edelman’s injury into a positive experience for parts of the roster.
Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, spotted at his youth camp over the weekend with a small brace over his left thumb (see below photo), is expected to be sidelined about three weeks due to the injury, league sources tell @FieldYates and me. pic.twitter.com/P5KT0hvRmz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2019
Minor Positives to the Julian Edelman Thumb Injury
More Work For the Others
New England’s wide receivers have a lot of potential, but not a lot of experience. As of this posting, the group primarily consists of N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Braxton Berrios, Maurice Harris, Dontrelle Inman, and undrafted free agent Jakobi Meyers.
Of this group, Dorsett is the only one to catch a regular-season pass from Tom Brady. Picking up New England’s defense is notoriously difficult, and these players could use as many reps as possible to develop chemistry with Brady. The biggest “winner” here is Braxton Berrios, who could take on a Danny Amendola role with some red zone upside.
Truthfully, Edelman doesn’t need training camp reps. Edelman and Brady see the field through the same eyes and have a mind meld rivaled only by Wes Welker in his prime. Missing a few practices and preseason games won’t change that, and the three-week recovery timeline means that Edelman will have a few practices to knock off the rust before the regular season begins. The offense could actually be better in the long run if someone like Berrios makes the most of this opportunity.
Less Strain For Edelman
Ironically enough, this injury could increase Edelman’s odds of making it through a 16-game season. Julian Edelman is easily New England’s most important receiver and the foacl point of the offense. Back in 2018, the Patriots went 2-2 while the offense averaged 23.75 points per game without Edelman. When Edelman played, the Patriots went 9-3 and the offense averaged 28.4 points per game.
Unfortunately for New England, Edelman has struggled to stay healthy over the course of a full 16-game season. Edelman has played just two full seasons since entering the league, most recently pulling off the feat in 2016.
As previously established, Edelman doesn’t need an entire training camp to get ready for the regular season. While these practices have minimal contact, there still is the risk for injury. Sitting out these three weeks gives Edelman fresher legs for the start of the season and reduces the risk of a non-contact injury. Remember, Edelman’s 2017 season ended thanks to a non-contact ACL injury.
Injuries are never a good thing, especially when they happen to key pieces on the team. However, there are ways for the Patriots to make the most of the situation. Edelman doesn’t need to develop chemistry with Brady, but everyone else on the depth chart does. Taking Edelman out of the equation allows guys like Braxton Berrios to get more time with the first-team offense. Theoretically, this could actually make the offense a more complete, collective unit. Additionally, having Edelman off the field reduces his injury risk, which is always a good thing. Edelman should be back before the games start, and that’s all that truly matters.
Main photo:
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