Tom Brady may have to start next season without one of his favorite targets.
ESPN reported Thursday that wide receiver Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.
Edelman’s suspension is under appeal, and, according to ESPN sources, Edelman has taken “hundreds of tests” and has never tested positive before.
If the suspension sticks, he would miss games against Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit and Miami (sorry, Jets).
The 32-year-old star missed the entire 2017 season with an ACL injury, but has been a regular participant in the Patriots’ offseason program.
New England already lost Danny Amendola to free agency and traded Brandin Cooks this offseason, and without Edelman, the wide-receiver corps definitely looks different. Chris Hogan, Jordan Matthews, Cordarrelle Patterson and Phillip Dorsett are among Brady’s top targets.