Edelman (knee) has announced his retirement from football, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Edelman noted in a statement Monday that "due to an injury last year," he'd be ending his playing career. The 34-year-old thus concludes a productive NFL run that began in 2009, when the Patriots selected him out of Kent State (where Edelman played QB) in the seventh round. The three-time Super Bowl champion finishes up his career with 620 catches for 6,822 yards and 36 TDs in 137 regular-season NFL games, all with New England.

The Patriots are releasing Edelman (knee) with a failed physical designation, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Edelman's time in New England is up after 12 seasons. The Super Bowl LIII MVP and three-time 1,000-yard receiver's recent failed medical checkup represents his most recent misfortune in recovery from a chronic knee issue, which limited him to just six games in 2020. Recently, serious doubt has surfaced as to whether Edelman will be healthy enough to suit up for the start of the 2021 campaign. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Edelman's release is believed to be a prelude to a forthcoming announcement about his future in the NFL.

Edelman plans to "to try and gut out another season with (his) chronically troubled knee" according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.

EDGE Analysis

While it appears as though Edelman, who turns 35 next month, will give it a go this coming season, it remains to be seen how the Patriots plan to proceed with him after signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. When healthy enough to suit up, Edelman has the savvy to get open and rack up catches, but Guregian relays concerns regarding the veteran pass catcher's ability to make it through the entire season without his knee issues flaring up. Look for further context clues regarding Edelman's future with the Patriots to surface no later than the NFL Draft, which runs April 29 through May 1.

Edelman (knee) wants to continue his career but is 'still trying to see if he is healthy enough to be out there for the 2021 season,' Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rapoport said that Edelman is progressing in his rehab process and wants to play in 2021, but that 'no decision has been made yet' about whether or not his knee injury will allow him to suit up. Edelman only played six games in 2020 before landing on IR, and though he was designated for return mid-December, he never progressed enough in his recovery to make his way back to the active roster. The Patriots also have a potential out from Edelman's contract this offseason, as cutting him would only result in a $2.7 million dead cap hit. Next season will mark Edelman's age-35 campaign.

Edelman (knee) won't be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Jets, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve in mid-December, but he never progressed enough to warrant activation. Edelman finishes the 2020 campaign with 21 catches for 315 yards and zero touchdowns to go with two carries for 22 yards in six games.

The Patriots will not activate Edelman (knee) from IR ahead of Monday night's game against the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots have until Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline to activate Edelman, but the 34-year-old veteran ultimately won't be available Monday. Rapoport describes Edelman's chances of returning Week 17 as "unlikely," noting that his future with the team also could be up in the air. Of course, given that the Patriots are already eliminated from playoff contention, the team has no real incentive to rush Edelman back to the field.

Edelman (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Reiss, that would appear "to lessen the chances" that Edelman, who resumed practicing last week, will play Monday night against the Bills. Though we'd expect that Edelman is eager to return to game action, the Patriots have no incentive to rush the veteran receiver back, with the team eliminated from playoff contention.

Edelman (knee) will not be activated ahead of Sunday's contest against the Dolphins, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Edelman returned to practice earlier this week, kicking off a 21-day window in which the veteran receiver can practice without counting against the active roster. With the Patriots barely clinging onto their playoff hopes, it remains to be seen whether the team will choose to activate the longtime stalwart or simply let the 34-year-old get completely healthy after also spending a multi-week stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this season.

The Patriots designated Edelman (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction kicks off a 21-day window wherein Edelman can be evaluated at practice without counting against the active roster. He can be activated at any time, so it's possible that the veteran slot man could be available for Sunday's divisional contest against the Dolphins. Edelman hasn't suited up for regular-season action since Week 7, but Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports that coach Bill Belichick said he'll start "when he's ready."

Edelman (illness/knee) has been removed from the reserve COVID-19 list but remains on IR, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This past Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that Edelman was "still a couple of weeks" away from returning to the field. With that in mind, the receiver still has his sights set on playing again down the stretch, but such an outcome is not imminent.