Report: NFL denies Julian Edelman's appeal, four-game suspension stands
Nearly a week after New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman mounted a defense against his suspension for violating the National Football League’s performance enhancing drug policy, his appeal was denied.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Edelman’s four-game suspension stands.
Patriots’ WR Julian Edelman’s appeal was denied today, per source. His four-game suspension stands.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 3, 2018
Edelman, 32, was first suspended in early June. On June 25, he launched his appeal, focusing on the identity of the substance and the alleged mishandling of his testing sample.
Albert Breer of The MMQB reported that Edelman tested positive for an “unrecognizable substance.” The NFL, though, did not change its stance.
In 2017, Edelman tore his ACL during a preseason game. He returned to the field this past June to participate in a mandatory minicamp with the New England Patriots.
“I am very sorry — I don’t know what happened,” Edelman wrote on Instagram the day of his suspension. “I’ve taken many, many tests obviously over the course of my career, and nothing like this has ever happened.”
Edelman will forfeit $470,588.20 base salary this year. He will also miss games against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, before rejoining the team Oct. 1.
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