The Facts: Edelman's appeal of his four-game drug suspension will be heard Monday, and sources say he plans to mount a vigorous defense that questions the NFL's handling of his case.

Diehards Line: It was reported earlier this month that the Patriots receiver is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. As the MMQB reported a few days later, the substance for which Edelman tested positive wasn't one the league's drug testers recognized. That remains one of two key issues at the heart of his appeal. The other, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano, involves a mishandling of the documentation and delivery of Edelman's test results. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the NFL made mistakes in the manner in which the test results were handled. Edelman is arguing that the mishandling of the evidence is one of the reasons he should be exonerated. Edelman, 32, who has been a regular participant in the team's offseason program, organized team activities and minicamp, missed the entire 2017 season after tearing an ACL during the preseason. ... Stay tuned.