The news came rocketing in like an ace pitcher’s best fastball on Monday: Patriots star receiver Julian Edelman had been spotted with a brace over his left thumb (though somewhat obscured by his trademark red glove) at his youth football camp. The expectation, according to league sources cited in the ESPN report, was that Edelman would miss at least three weeks while rehabbing the injury.
The predominant spin on the story across most media circuits was that New England was once more beset by a major offensive setback. In a Super Bowl-winning offseason that should have been all celebrations and parties, here again was another blow to the defending champions, who had already suffered the suspension of Josh Gordon, the departure of Rob Gronkowski, and injuries of varying significance to Sony Michel, Demaryius Thomas, and others.