New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is facing a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substances policy, according to ESPN.
ESPN's Adam Schefter said Edelman is appealing the suspension.
It is not clear yet what substance he tested positive for.
Edelman, 32, was in attendance at this week's minicamp and earlier voluntary workouts as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2017 preseason that cost him the entire season.
This will be Edelman's 10th year in the league. In recent years, he's been one of Brady's favorite targets. In 2016, his last full season, he caught 98 passes for 1,106 yards and three touchdowns. Over his career, he has 425 career catches for 4,540 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Boston sports fans were not thrilled to hear the latest controversy from Foxboro.
"I hope they're lenient on him because it's his first time offense," said Tim Garneau. "But then again, we don't know all the facts."
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"We missed him all last year," added Kevin Schoefield. "We'll see if we can make it through the first four games of the season if this suspension holds up."
Earlier this offseason, Edelman posted an Instagram story working with Tom Brady's controversial trainer, Alex Guerrero of the TB12 facility, NBC Sports Boston reported.
Guerrero issued a statement Thursday to NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran, calling the news of Edelman's suspension "disappointing" and distancing his business from banned substances.
"I've known Julian since his rookie year and he is a phenomenal athlete who takes his training seriously — it's disappointing to hear today's news. Elite athletes sometimes work with multiple coaches and health professionals as part of their training," Guerrero said, according to Curran's tweets. "Here at our facility, we take a natural, holistic, appropriate and, above all, legal approach to training and recovery for all our clients. And anyone who would suggest otherwise is irresponsible, and just plain wrong."
The Patriots are scheduled to play Houston, Jacksonville, Detroit and Miami in the first four games of this season.
