By Ari Meirov
Julian Edelman will turn 35 years old next month, and while he wants to continue playing, there are some hurdles that might be holding him back.
Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reports that Edelman has been hampered by knee issues for the better part of two years and it’s considered “doubtful” he will be able to play a full season again without it becoming a problem.
Edelman played in just six games last season and underwent knee surgery in October to alleviate the pain and swelling.
In 2019, he was active for all 16 games, but was listed on the team’s injury report in 13 out of 17 weeks, while dealing with a chest issue, a shoulder injury, and a knee injury. He later underwent a knee scope and surgery to repair a separated AC joint in his left shoulder.
The NFL is also going to 17 regular season games next season for the first time in league history – which will only make things even tougher on Edelman. The Patriots added Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency and also have Jakobi Meyers who emerged last season. The Patriots could also add another receiver in the draft, but Edelman has said he wants to continue playing.
“I’m getting there,” Edelman said in January when asked about potentially retiring. “It was a rough year when it came to just my physicality and how I felt. It’s tough, but this is the time where you sit, and you self-reflect, and you self-evaluate, and you self-scout yourself through all last year. You’re really go in and try to develop a formula, and try to develop a game plan for how you’re going to attack the offseason. That’s the process I’m in right now.”
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