Mike Reiss: Patriots WR Julian Edelman's knee surgery “went as planned”

For the first time this season, the New England Patriots had perfect practice attendance on Friday. However, that does not mean that the team is at its full physical strength. After all, a total of 12 players are currently on injury related reserve lists. And while some of them are eligible to return – linebacker Shea McClellin and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell come to mind – others are not.

Among the latter group is the Patriots' leading wide receiver of the last four years, Julian Edelman. The 31-year old tore his ACL in week three of the preseason and has been placed on season-ending injured reserve prior to roster cutdowns. Edelman, consequently, is therefore already on to 2018. Last week, according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, he took a major step on his way back:

Those close to wide receiver Julian Edelman relay that he underwent surgery within the past week to repair his torn right ACL, with the procedure coming a little more than four weeks after he sustained the injury in a preseason game in Detroit. Edelman is said to be in good spirits, and the general feeling was that everything went as planned.

Hearing that the surgery appeared to have gone well is good news for both the wideout and the team: Getting the veteran back at the best possible shape will help further strengthen a wide receiver corps that might be without Danny Amendola, who is currently in the final year of his contract.