When reports surfaced Monday that New England Patriot receiver Julian Edelman was expected to miss an extended period of time in training camp the biggest takeaway was simple: What an opportunity for others.
At his youth camp over the weekend, Edelman was shown with a brace on his left thumb and could miss three weeks as camp gets started on Thursday, per ESPN.
It’s not ideal news for the Patriot offense, which will already be without Sony Michel and Demaryius Thomas due to injuries But with Edelman and N’Keal Harry just about the only sure-fire locks to make the New England roster at receiver, it encourages sense of competition for others while also giving them more reps with the No. 1 offense. Edelman being sidelined allows other receivers like Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, Braxton Berrios, Dontrelle Inman and Harry to earn more targets.
Edelman would have surely taken all first team reps if he were available, and since he is not, we should expect Harry and Dorsett to be featured as the first two wideouts with Harris likely to see extensive time in three-receiver sets. But that could change — it probably will change. Hence, Edelman’s injury provides the Patriots a more extended look at their unknown entities at the receiver position.
So if we’re looking on the bright side, Edelman’s absence could be seen as a good thing. After all, Dorsett is the only receiver of that group to catch a pass from quarterback Tom Brady last season.
Oh yeah, and it’s only July.
