Patriots WR Julian Edelman (knee) is expected to be placed on IR, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That'd cost Edelman at least the next 3 games. Edelman had surgery on Thursday to address what's become a bone-on-bone condition in his knee. He simply hasn't looked right all season and can be dropped in fantasy leagues of 12 or fewer teams.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman announced his retirement. It's not surprising news if you've been following the reports on his knee trouble. Edelman finishes an 11-season career with 620 catches, 6,822 yards and 36 scores. He had some monster performances in the postseason, including 9-109-1 and 10-141 lines in the Super Bowl. The Patriots likely had a good idea that Edelman was done and added WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman is still "trying to work his way back" from the knee injury that cost him the final 10 games of last season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We never got any details on that injury, but it was obviously significant. Edelman wants to play in 2021, per Rapoport, but it's unclear if his knee will let him. We'll keep an eye on the situation, but Edelman is hardly worth even a late-round dart in early fantasy drafts.

The Patriots aren't expected to activate WR Julian Edelman for tonight's game against the Bills, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's "unlikely" he returns for Week 17. We'll see whether that means the end of the 34-year-old's career. New England will close out the year with Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd and N'Keal Harry as its top 3 wideouts.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman has been placed on the COVID list. He's been out since Week 7 and remains on IR with his knee injury. You can continue to ignore him in fantasy football.

Patriots WR Julian Edelman is expected to miss "some game action" with the knee injury that's been bothering him all season, The Athletic's Jeff Howe reports. Edelman might need surgery but is expected back at some point this season, Howe adds. We'll continue to monitor the situation, but Edelman can be dropped in basically all fantasy leagues. His only useful fantasy game this season came vs. Seattle's league-worst WR defense. Edelman's absence figures to open up playing time for WR Jakobi Meyers and targets for WRs N'Keal Harry and Damiere Byrd. But your best bet is to avoid this struggling Patriots passing game.

Update: Edelman had knee surgery on Thursday morning and will miss “some period of time," ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.