News & Info/Headlines

Patriots receiver Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, according to multiple reports.

Edelman, who has been a regular participant in the team's offseason program, OTAs and minicamp, is returning from an ACL tear during the 2017 preseason that forced him to miss the entire season. He turned 32 years old last month and is entering his 10th season in the NFL.

Edelman is appealing the suspension. If it holds, he will miss the Patriots' first four games against the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins.

For what it's worth, ESPN's Field Yates notes that one example of a player that won his appeal was cornerback Richard Sherman during the 2012 season with the Seahawks.

Whatever the case, a four-game absence for Edelman would create opportunities for others.

So who might benefit?

According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Tom Brady and free-agent addition Jordan Matthews were seen working together for about 10-15 minutes following New England's second session of minicamp on Wednesday.

Matthews is best known as a slot receiver -- a position of great importance to the Patriots offense -- so it's no surprise to see Brady, who skipped New England's OTAs, wanting to build up some more chemistry with Matthews. The additional layer of information that comes from the Edelman news adds to that.

In 2016, Matthews ran 67.1 percent of his routes out of the slot, according to Pro Football Focus. He was limited to 10 games last season with the Bills and proved to be a non-factor for a team that never found the help at receiver it needed after trading away Sammy Watkins. Matthews had knee and ankle surgeries during the season after being placed on injured reserve.

Healthy now, he could be a real factor working with Brady while Edelman watches from the sidelines into October.

Beyond that, the Patriots, despite letting Danny Amendola move on to Miami via free agency, still have 11 receivers on their roster, lending credence to the notion the team is preparing for his absence.

Of most interest to fantasy owners will obviously be Chris Hogan, given his experience in the offense and already-strong chemistry with Brady.

Also on board are another newcomer, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, rookie Braxton Berrios and Cody Hollister.