FOXBORO, Mass. — There’s reason for New England Patriots fans to be optimistic after Sunday’s training camp practice.
Julian Edelman, who had offseason foot surgery, passed his physical, came off the physically unable to perform list and was a limited participant in practice. The wide receiver didn’t play in the Patriots’ full-team scrimmage, but he did run through the route tree with quarterback Tom Brady off to the side.
“I think anytime you can go out and put pads on and practice before the season, I think it’s a good sign,” Edelman said Sunday. “It’s a good sign.”
Edelman spent the first week and a half of training camp working with trainers away from the rest of the team. He said there’s “significance” to putting the pads back on.
“You gotta get your football legs back in shape, and you gotta have this extra weight on,” Edelman said. “It’s about seven pounds. It’s good to get out here, run around with the pads and adjust to catching the ball with the shoulder pads and the helmet, the face mask. Going out there, trying to get tired — as tired as possible with the pads on so you can get used to the games and stuff.”
Edelman said his foot, which he originally broke Nov. 15 in a 27-26 Week 10 win over the New York Giants, feels “pretty good.” He wouldn’t put a percentage on his recovery but said he’s “day to day.”
“I’m a day better than yesterday,” Edelman said.
Edelman’s foot looked fine when he was at Fenway Park before training camp began, fielding baseballs at shortstop and hitting home runs in the batting cage.
“I was droppin’ bombs,” Edelman said. “It’s football season, though.”
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
