NFL: Patriots WR Julian Edelman Out Indefinitely With Thumb Injury

With injured wide receiver Julian Edelman joining a cluster of pass-catching teammates on the sidelines, the New England Patriots might need to send out a casting call for players to whom Tom Brady can throw passes early in training camp.

An eagle-eyed observer at Edelman's youth camp over the weekend noticed a brace on his left thumb. Subsequent reports by ESPN and other news outlets conveyed that he will need three to four weeks of rest and rehab before fetching passes from Brady and other quarterbacks in Pats practices.

Already, the team was missing suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Ben Watson, plus injured running back Sony Michel and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, both of whom are classified as physically unable to perform.

Then there is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is retired -- for the time being, anyway. An analysis posted on NFL.com that listed the seventh-thinnest position groupings in the league placed the Patriots' receiving corps at No. 3. After noting Edelman, the analysis reads, "the rest of the depth chart is littered with rookies, scrap-heap hopefuls, developmental projects and special teamers."

It acknowledged that one of Brady's gifts is helping develop unheralded receivers into threats.

Edelman was last seen hauling in 10 of Brady's tosses for 141 yards in the Super Bowl, which earned him MVP honors. Being shelved one or two exhibition games is no big deal, as long as the small digit on his hand has healed before the real season begins.

Should the recovery extend into the regular season, it would be par for the course. Edelman has appeared in all 16 games just once during the past six years, though the 2018 scenario was a departure. He was suspended for the first quarter of the schedule for a violation regarding performance-enhancing drugs

As players age, full recuperation can take longer. Edelman is 33, though he does have the ideal role model in this regard nearby. His quarterback turns 42 next week.

The Patriots are currently listed with 6/1 odds to repeat as Super Bowl champions.