Patriots NewsPatriots officially remove Julian Edelman from their PUP listNew Danny Etling Jerseys 2019 ,8commentsRelated: Patriots receive much-needed reinforcements during Monday’s practiceEDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Patriots officially remove Julian Edelman from their PUP listTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesEarlier today, the New England Patriots returned to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium to hold their first practice since their preseason victory over the Tennessee Titans. It was a successful session for the reigning world champions, at least when it comes to participation: after all, four of the team’s offensive skill position players returned to practice — a group that included the MVP of Super Bowl 53, Julian Edelman.The veteran wide receiver originally opened training camp on the non-football injury list after reportedly hurting his finger earlier during the offseason. Seeing him back at practice and in full pads meant one particular thing, though, that was later confirmed by the NFL’s transactions wire: Edelman had passed his physical and was officially removed off the reserve list, meaning that he is now able to participate in practice again.This is obviously good news for both the veteran wideout and the Patriots. After all, the club’s skill position group saw multiple players go down with injuries recently — N’Keal Harry, Maurice Harris White Derek Rivers Jerseys , Phillip Dorsett, and Matt LaCosse all suffered injuries over the last two weeks leading to them missing at least some time during practice and/or preseason. They all were back on the practice fields today, of course, but Edelman’s return is still different.The 33-year-old is not just the most experienced pass catcher on the Patriots’ roster, after all, but he also enjoys the trust of quarterback Tom Brady like no other player on the team. Adding him to the mix just a couple of days after Josh Gordon was reinstated is therefore big for Brady and New England’s aerial attack as a whole. The club’s 2019 offense is slowly starting to take shape, with Edelman a key piece. New England reached its roster maximum yesterday."Yesterday, the New England Patriots announced the signing of undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Xavier Ubosi — a move that put the team’s roster at 90 men, the maximum allowed during the offseason, for the first time since the NFL draft concluded a little more than a week ago. This means that now is the perfect time to take a closer look at who is on the team as it stands right now.Offense (45)Quarterback (4)Fourth-round draft pick Jarrett Stidham makes for an interesting addition to the Patriots’ quarterback group behind starter/future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. His development over the course of the offseason will be interesting to watch Derek Rivers Jerseys 2019 , especially as it relates to veteran backup Brian Hoyer and last year’s seventh-round choice Danny Etling.Running back (7)Already one of the deepest positions on the team, the Patriots decided to add Damien Harris on day two of the draft. The rookie will likely take on a rotational role on early downs and in short-yardage situations alongside top option Sony Michel. James White and Rex Burkhead, meanwhile, will resume their usual roles as the change-of-pace backs. James Develin returns as the NFL’s premier fullback, while the rest of the position depth chart will have to fight for its roster lives this summer.Wide receiver (12)The current personnel turnover at the wide receiver position left only three true roster locks on the team in veteran Julian Edelman, first-round rookie N’Keal Harry, and special teams captain Matthew Slater. The rest of the group will need to prove its value to the Patriots over the next four months — with Phillip Dorsett having the best chances of emerging with one of the spots in his hands due to his experience in the system.Tight end (5)Without Rob Gronkowski, the tight end group is a thin and unexperienced one in New England’s system: the five men combine for exactly zero in-game appearances for the Patriots. Lacking a true all-around player like Gronkowski, the group is basically split into receivers (Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Stephen Anderson) and blockers (Ryan Izzo White Deatrich Wise Jerseys , Andrew Beck). Free agency signing Matt LaCosse has probably the best potential to serve as a hybrid in the mold of Gronk.Offensive tackle (8)Following the departure of Trent Brown in free agency, left tackle remains a question mark at this point in time. 2018 first-round pick Isaiah Wynn, coming off a year-long stint on injured reserve due to a torn Achilles, is the front-runner to earn the spot with third-round rookie Yodny Cajuste and former undrafted free agent Cole Crosten as the top backups. On the other side, meanwhile, Marcus Cannon will again hold down the fort.Offensive interior (9)The Patriots’ interior offensive line is one of the best in football, with center/team captain David Andrews and guards Joe Thuney and Shaq Mason all being among the NFL’s best young players at their respective positions. Beyond the top trio, fourth-round rookie Hjalte Froholdt and veterans Ted Karras and James Ferentz provide quality depth. All in all, the nine-man group is one of the strongest — literally and figuratively — on the team.Defense (41)Defensive interior (7)The free agency addition of Mike Pennel helps make up for the losses of Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton, and gives the Patriots a big run-stuffer to play alongside Lawrence Guy. Adam Butler will again see primarily passing-down snaps Deatrich Wise Jerseys 2019 , with rookie Byron Cowart expected to fill a similar role. However, the fifth-round pick is not guaranteed a spot on the team and will have to compete against the other defensive tackles for what appears to be at best one spot on the 53-man roster.Defensive edge (9)Over the course of the offseason, the Patriots basically filled the spots vacated by Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn by trading for Michael Bennett and drafting Chase Winovich in round three. Together with Deatrich Wise Jr. and John Simon, they are expected to form the core of this year’s defensive edge group. Derek Rivers and Keionta Davis, meanwhile, are dark-horse candidates that need to take a step forward in order to justify being kept on the team through roster cuts.Linebacker (8)One year ago, the linebacker position was perceived to be one of the thinnest on the team. However, the return of Dont’a Hightower in combination with some excellent play from Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts having his best season as a pro helped turn the position’s fortunes around in 2018. One player to keep an eye on this summer is Ja’Whaun Bentley: the 2018 fifth-round pick looked very solid in limited action during his rookie year — even serving as the on-field signal caller at one point — and could be in line for a bigger role.Cornerback (9)Arguably the best cornerback depth chart in the entire NFL, the Patriots feature an intriguing mix of established talent and developmental upside. Stephon Gilmore and Jason McCourty are the elder statesmen, with J.C. Jackson as the emerging third option. Second-round rookie Joejuan Williams will likely see rotational snaps to start his career White Joe Thuney Jerseys , while the usage of Jonathan Jones — he was outstanding in the Super Bowl as a corner/safety hybrid — and 2018 second-round pick Duke Dawson will be fun to watch.Safety (8)The Patriots added Terrence Brooks and undrafted rookie Malik Gant this offseason but the core of the safety group remains intact: Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon are the top three — a trio that might see some help from aforementioned cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Joejuan Williams, depending on the opponent and the situation. While the safety group needs an infusion of youth in the future, it is still one of the most solid groups you’ll find in the league.Specialists (4)After re-signing Stephen Gostkowksi and Ryan Allen in free agency, the specialists group around long snapper Joe Cardona could remain intact for the fifth straight year — that is if Allen does not lose his spot to fifth-round rookie punter Jake Bailey, who also has experience as a kickoff specialist and could help lift some pressure off Gostkowski in this area.NFL Pathway Program (1)The Patriots were assigned fullback Jakob Johnson through the NFL’s Pathway Program this offseason: he can practice with the team all summer long, but does not count against the 90-man limit. If he fails to make the team — which seems like the most realistic outcome given the Patriots’ employment of James Develin — Johnson will transfer to New England’s practice squad as an eleventh player.Suspended (1)Josh Gordon remains indefinitely suspended, but would undoubtably be a huge addition to the team if reinstated: he is the team’s most prolific wide receiver outside of Julian Edelman, and the prototypical X-receiver in New England’s scheme. Adding him to the current core of Edelman and rookie N’Keal Harry would make the Patriots’ receiving group a lot deeper — and more dangerous to defend.