The New England Patriots will have a major boost on offense when they play their Divisional Playoffs game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, as wide receiver Julian Edelman is reportedly cleared to play after missing time due to a foot injury.
Edelman sustained the injury in a Week 10 win over the New York Giants and since then has not played, missing the last seven games of the regular season.
Before Edelman went down with the injury, he was the leading receiver for New England as the team went on to win its first 10 games, but in his absence went 3–4 to close the regular season.
The 29-year-old wide receiver could have had a splendid 2015 regular season, but the injury limited him to only nine games in which he had 61 receptions for 692 yards and seven touchdowns.
Edelman's foot woe was among the list of injuries that troubled the defending Super Bowl champions this season.
But in a tweet by WHDH Channel 7 sports director Joe Amorosino, he stated, "Julian Edelman cleared to play. @Edelman11 wearing steel plate in left shoe to prevent flexing & re-fracturing foot. #7News #Patriots."
In line with Amorosino's tweet, NESN reported that Edelman will indeed have a steel plate in his cleats to prevent reinjuring the foot, although it has yet to be seen if it will hinder his movement on the field.
The return of Edelman to New England's offensive lineup is huge since he is one of franchise quarterback Tom Brady's favorite targets.
Edelman also is an outstanding player on offense and the champions need all the help they can get especially in the playoffs to successfully defend their title.
The Patriots are aiming to capture the franchise's fifth Super Bowl championship this season, but will first have to surpass the Chiefs who dominated the Houston Texans (30–0) to advance to the Divisional Playoffs.
