Julian Edelman Injury Update Hurts Week 16 Fantasy Value in Tough Matchup Against Bills

Julian Edelman entered the New England Patriots' Week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals with both knee and shoulder injuries. He was clearly hobbled throughout the game, and that does not bode well for his fantasy outlook against the Buffalo Bills next week.

Julian Edelman played just 40 snaps yesterday, catching 2 of his 5 targets for 9 yards. His rest on Wednesday wasn't about load management; it was - as I reported - about that tendon in the left leg. It's a painful injury and it's limiting. That's why he didn't look like himself.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 16, 2019

Edelman played just 40 snaps on Sunday in the win, and he did not do his fantasy owners any favors in his limited snaps. He finished the day with just two catches for nine yards, which are both his lowest totals of the season.

And if Edelman isn't at full strength next week, it's tough to see him doing much against the vaunted Bills' secondary. In fact, prior to Week 15, Edelman's worst game of the season was his Week 4 matchup with the Bills, as he was held to four catches for 30 yards.

Tom Brady's longest pass to a WR was 11 yards to Julian Edelman. Is Pats offense in trouble?
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) December 16, 2019

If there's one saving grace for Edelman, it's that the game will be played at home, and he's been better at home than on the road this season. In six home games, he has totaled 46 catches for 524 yards and four touchdowns. In eight road games, Edelman also has 46 receptions, but for 495 yards and two touchdowns.

Even so, seemingly playing hurt, and facing a Buffalo defense that surrenders the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts, Edelman could struggle to produce at his usual level.

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