On Friday morning, Bill Belichick confirmed what everyone basically knew for the last week-plus -- Julian Edelman will not play again this year.
The wide receiver was placed on injured reserve in late October following having a knee procedure, returned to practice ahead of the Miami game, but was not activated for it. Then with the Patriots mathematically eliminated from the postseason, he hasn't practiced since.
Did he suffer a setback?
“I wouldn’t say that, no," Belichick said. "I would just say he just wasn’t ready to play and won’t be ready to play.”
Edelman, who will be 35 years old next season, is under contract, but it is worth wondering what his future holds given his age and injuries.
“I think it’s way too early to start talking about next year,” Belichick said.
In six games, Edelman caught 21 passes for 315 yards.
