Julian Edelman Injury: Updates on Patriots Star's Concussion, Thigh and Return

New England Patriots versatile wide receiver Julian Edelman missed the final two weeks of the regular season due to multiple injuries but has returned in time for the team's playoff game against the Ravens.

Continue for updates.

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Edelman Active vs. Ravens

Saturday, Jan. 10

Doug Kyed of NESN reports that Edelman is active for the Patriots' game on Saturday.

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Edelman Probable vs. Ravens

Friday, Jan. 9

Doug Kyed of NESN reported that Edelman is probable for Saturday's game. 

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Edelman Limited in Practice

Thursday, Jan. 8

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that Julian Edelman was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice as he continues to recover from a concussion. Howe provided a statement from Edelman discussing his status with the media:

"

Anytime you don’t get to go out and play with your teammates, it’s very tough, especially at the end of the year when you’re preparing for the postseason. But all of that is in the past, and I’m looking forward to today, preparing for the Ravens and getting ready for this game.

[...]

It’s exciting. We get to play the Ravens again. I’ve probably played this team the most out of any team I’ve played in my career here. It’s going to be fun. You know these guys are going to bring it. Everyone thinks that we hate them, but these are the type of games where it’s cold, it’s a battle. You like competing against the Baltimore Ravens because you know they’re a good team. We have a few more days to prepare, and we’re going to get ready for that.

"

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Edelman Back In Locker Room

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald passed along an update on Julian Edelman's condition:

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Edelman Out vs. Bills

Sunday, Dec. 28

Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston announced Edelman was inactive:

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Edelman Limited in Practice

Thursday, Dec. 25

Doug Kyed of NESN.com announced the Patriots' injury report was the same as Wednesday, meaning Edelman was once again a limited participant in practice:

Yesterday, Kyed noted Edelman "ran a crisp route during practice."

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Edelman Out vs. Jets

Saturday, Dec. 20

The Patriots provided official word on Edelman:

Mark McDaniels of The Providence Journal reveals how missing time at this juncture of the season impacts Edelman's contract:

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Edelman Returns to Practice, Listed as Questionable

Friday, Dec. 19

Mark Daniels of The Providence Journal has Edelman's status for Week 16:

Doug Kyed of NESN.com has the latest on Edelman on Friday:

"

Julian Edelman participated in practice despite a concussion. Edelman was limited Wednesday and Thursday with head and thigh injuries. His status for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets will be detailed in Friday’s practice participation and injury report, which is usually released around 4:30 p.m.

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Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported an update on Edelman's status Thursday:

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Edelman Suffers Concussion 

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Doug Kyed of NESN.com had the news from Wednesday's practice:

"

Julian Edelman apparently suffered a concussion at some point between the start of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins and the end of Wednesday’s practice. The New England Patriots wide receiver was limited in practice with a concussion and thigh injury Wednesday. Edelman could have suffered the concussion during Sunday’s game and played through it, or he could have suffered the injury during practice and had his session cut short. 

"

When the Patriots were struggling to find an identity early in the season, Edelman was the one steady presence Tom Brady had to look toward. The 28-year-old has never been a huge threat in the red zone, but there aren't many receivers who will do more after the catch. 

In fact, because of how good he is in space, Edelman serves more roles than just receiver. He's a de facto running back, regularly getting his number called on screen passes, and a valuable punt returner. There's a dynamic Edelman brings that makes everyone around him better. 

After taking over as the primary slot receiver in 2013, Edelman had 105 receptions for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. There's also an element to his game that doesn't get noticed often enough, though Patriots head coach Bill Belichick pointed it out after the team's 42-20 win over Indianapolis, via Kyed: 

"

He’s always been a very willing blocker. Technique and angles and really understanding where the running play is intended to go based on what happens on the play can definitely affect the blocking, and certainly we get a lot of different looks from the defense relative to different run-force combinations and alignments and so forth.

"

Even though Rob Gronkowski is back to being the best tight end in football, it's Edelman who breathes life into New England's offense. The passing game isn't at its strongest without him on the field. Brady has developed a nice rapport with others, but he needs No. 11 to be at his best.