Julian Edelman Battled a Bunch of Possible Season-Ending Injuries This Year and He Was Still a Beast
By Michael Luciano
The New England Patriots crashed out of the playoffs against the Tennessee Titans thanks to a stagnant offense, but it appears that they couldn't get out of neutral because their main playmaker was banged up.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman, who had been fighting a shoulder injury for the better part of the end of the season, was also dealing with knee and rib issues that had the potential to be season-ending.
Edelman dealt with an assortment of injuries, including a separated AC joint in his shoulder, a knee issue and rib injury that were described as serious enough that they would have ended some other players’ seasons. Offseason surgery hasn’t been ruled out. https://t.co/mOhIH0HUXR
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 8, 2020
Edelman crossed 100 catches this year, just five away from tying his career high, and set a new personal best with 1,117 yards this season to go along with six touchdowns.
Edelman's time in Foxborough could be coming to a close, as shoulder, rib, and knee injuries on a soon-to-be 34-year-old body doesn't exactly make him the picture of perfect health.
Playoff receiving yards, 2009-18:
— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) January 2, 2020
-Julian Edelman, 1412
-Vikings, 1377
-Cardinals, 1239
-Jets, 1174
-Bengals, 1110
-Chargers, 1069
-Rams, 931
-Lions, 869
-Bears, 770
-Jags, 562
-Titans, 397
-Redskins, 369
-Dolphins, 253
-Raiders, 139
-Bills, 133
-Browns, 0
-Bucs, 0
Even as Tom Brady starts to decline, Edelman might have had his finest season yet despite three separate serious injuries.
He should be given his props for the warrior act that he pulled to even put his pads on in the face of these injuries, but the one receiver who played well this year heading into 2020 fresh off three major ailments isn't what Patriots fans wanted to hear.