New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was carted off the field on Friday night after suffering a non-contact knee injury during the team’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Non-contact knee injuries are bad news. Hoping Edelman's OK, but this doesn't look good. pic.twitter.com/w5qUXzxW5m
— Liam Martin (@LiamFromBoston) August 25, 2017
When you see those highlights, you immediately fear a torn ACL, and the Patriots believe that is indeed the case according to Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport:
Patriots suspect Julian Edelman tore his ACL, but do not definitely know, per source. MRI on Sunday to determine full extent of injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2017
Update: Julian Edelman's MRI is Saturday, not Sunday. Patriots suspect ACL, but tests to determine.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2017
#Patriots WR Julian Edelman has suffered what is believed to be a torn ACL, per sources. MRI tomorrow to confirm.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2017
#Patriots WR Julian Edelman signed a 2-year, $11M contract with $7M guaranteed before the season. That has proved important with his injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2017
Edelman would obviously be a big loss for the Patriots’ offense. The veteran has been a go-to possession receiver for Tom Brady, putting together a 98-reception, 1,106-yard, three-touchdown line for the world champs in 2016. Edleman has 425 receptions over his eight-year NFL career (all with New England).
However, the Patriots’ offense should still be able to be just fine (and likely much more than “fine”). For example, they acquired star wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Saints over the offseason.
Giving the Patriots and Tom Brady a weapon like Brandin Cooks is like giving Darth Vader the keys to the Millennium Falcon. Not fair.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) March 11, 2017
They had Chris Hogan step up as a key contributor in 2016, and he and Brady connected for a pair of touchdowns after Edelman left the game on Friday night (get ready for Hogan to skyrocket up fantasy football draft rankings).
https://youtu.be/mUOWWfCU99U
https://youtu.be/qB3SnNKKnkI
And then there’s the return of Rob Gronkowski, who only played in eight games for the Patriots in 2016 (and zero postseason games) due to a back injury.
The Patriots are going to be the NFL’s team to beat in 2017, with our without Edelman. But this injury obviously sucks for him, and is just another example of the risk outweighing the reward for proven players — especially skill position players — in the preseason.
"Patriots' Edelman tears ACL" = reason #263 why the preseason is dumb for anyone other than players trying to make a roster.
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) August 26, 2017
Kansas City Chiefs potential starting running back Spencer Ware also was carted off with a knee injury on Friday night.
https://twitter.com/guga31bb/status/901238207425150976
Spencer Ware carted off. Looks like his right knee buckled. Could put no weight on right leg.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) August 26, 2017
There’s just so little to gain for these veteran players by getting snaps in meaningless games, and so much to lose.
