Julian Edelman will be missing the first four games of the New England Patriots this season after the National Football League suspended him.

The return of the Patriots wide receiver came to a screeching halt after he breached the league's protocols on performance-enhancing substances.

Edelman, who helped the Patriots capture the XLIX and LI Super Bowls, sat out for the most of last year after suffering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 32-year-old is also expected to lose more than $400,000 in base salary this year due to the suspension.

In a report by ESPN's Field Yates and Adam Schefter, Edelman has already filed an appeal to revoke the previous decision of the league. He is set to return for his 10th year in the league this season.

Crucial Loss

If the league's ruling stands, Edelman's absence early in the season will pose a great deal of trouble for the Patriots. The Patriots are set to battle Houston, Jacksonville, Miami, and Detroit in their first four assignments.

The Patriots are not stacked up with skilled receivers in their lineup after letting go of Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks in the offseason. Amendola signed with Miami while the Patriots traded Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams.

Among their wide receivers are Jordan Matthews, Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, Malcolm Mitchell, Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, and rookie Braxton Berrios. The Patriots selected 22-year-old Berrios in the sixth round selection of this year's NFL draft.

Edelman has been a positive ingredient to the success of the Patriots in the past years. His career statistics include 425 receptions, 4540 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns.

However, all hope is not lost for Edelman as the former Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman won his appeal in 2012. Sherman faced a four-game suspension for the same charges.

Edelman Is Not The Only One

Aside from Edelman, other players suspended by the league for violating the said policy include Vontaze Burfict, Corey Liuget, Josh Mauro, Mark Sanchez, and Thomas Davis. Just like Edelman, all of them will be suspended for the first four games of the season.

Other players who faced a hefty suspension for a PED violation were former Chicago Bear Jerrell Freeman and free agent, Jalen Collins. Freeman was forced to retire earlier this year after being suspended for two years while Collins will miss the first 10 games of the season.

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