Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots wide receiver is working his way back to full strength after he suffered a torn ACL prior to the 2017 season, and he may have more time to recover than he initially expected.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The 32-year-old is currently in the process of appealing.

The Patriots have added some depth to an already serviceable group of wide receivers this offseason, and Edelman’s impending suspension could help explain why.

Edelman has been Brady’s favorite target when healthy over the past several years. He caught 98 passes for a career-high 1,106 yards in 2016.

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