Julian Edelman is back.
The Patriots' best wide receiver, who underwent a minor corrective foot surgery back in May and started the training camp on the physically unable to perform list alongside six of his of his teammates, returned to the practice field in pads Sunday, according to multiple reporters attending practice.
Edelman was taken off PUP, the team announced. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport said the move occurred earlier than expected. However, Edelman did not take part in the team's scrimmage.
When asked about his Week 1 availability the wideout said: "Anytime you can go out there and practice with full pads before the season, it's a good sign."
Edelman broke his foot back in November, a massive setback for a Patriots team that seemed destined to storm back into the playoffs and return to the Super Bowl. Edelman caught 61 balls for 692 yards and seven scores over nine games a year ago.
The news is obviously welcome for a Patriots team looking for positive developments on offense. With Tom Brady suspended for the first four games of the season and with Danny Amendola still not practicing, the team is looking to surround Jimmy Garoppolo with enough weapons to get through the first quarter of the season.
