We now know the extent of Julian Edelman’s thumb injury.
It was reported Monday a thumb injury would sideline Edelman for roughly the first three weeks of New England Patriots training camp. Few details initially were given regarding the ailment, but NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday the Super Bowl LIII MVP’s thumb is broken.
Should Edelman follow the originally reported timeline, it could set up for a return in Week 2 of the preseason when the Patriots take on the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. But given the uncertainty surrounding the rest of New England’s wide receiver depth chart, it would make sense for the team to err on the side of caution with the 33-year-old.
With Edelman shelved, the Patriots will open training camp Thursday with only three wideouts who have caught a pass in the NFL: Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris and Dontrelle Inman. The rest of the group is rounded out by Braxton Berrios, Damoun Patterson and undrafted rookies Jakobi Meyers, Ryan Davis and Gunner Olszewski. Veteran WR Demaryius Thomas will open training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
