FOXBORO, Mass. — Inevitably, when a player suffers a major injury, fans will begin throwing around names the New England Patriots could sign as a replacement.
It’s important to remember those players are available and unsigned by all 32 teams for a reason. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made this point when asked how the Patriots will have to adjust their offense with Julian Edelman out for the foreseeable future and Dion Lewis on injured reserve.
“I think when you’ve had that quality of player go down, you definitely have to adjust,” Brady said. “So I would say it’s football season, and a lot of teams go through similar things, (losing) certain players that are really critical. You just have to figure out a way to kind of keep producing and scoring points. It may be different than the way that it’s been.
“You wish you could just plug someone else in, but that’s, you know, it’s impossible to plug in those — Julian Edelmans just aren’t sitting out on the street or else they’d be playing for another team. But the guys who are going to be in there, we’ll have confidence in the things that they can do well. And I think the expectations are still the same. We expect to go out there and score points every time we touch the ball, and it may take a little different shape. You just have to rely on some different things that are a part of your offense and just do the best you can do.”
The Patriots haven’t signed a running back since Lewis was lost for the season, choosing instead to roll with LeGarrette Blount, James White and Brandon Bolden. That’s despite there being big names, like Robert Turbin, Travaris Cadet and Pierre Thomas, available since Lewis suffered the injury.
The Patriots signed wide receiver Chris Harper off their practice squad Tuesday to add depth after Edelman’s foot injury. They worked out two free-agent wideouts Tuesday, but passed on signing them.
Current Patriots receivers Danny Amendola and Keshawn Martin likely will take on a heavier workload with Edelman out. Edelman could return in time for the Patriots’ playoff run.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
