Julian Edelman thrilled to be back on the field

FOXBORO — When Julian Edelman shot out of the giant inflatable helmet for introductions before Thursday night's preseason game against the Washington Redskins, it was easy to see how excited he was to be back on the field. The receiver sprinted down the sideline and when he arrived at the end zone, he jumped in the air and delivered a powerful flying fist pump aimed at the crowd.

Edelman never played in Gillette Stadium last year. After sitting out the preseason home opener, [...]

FOXBORO — When Julian Edelman shot out of the giant inflatable helmet for introductions before Thursday night's preseason game against the Washington Redskins, it was easy to see how excited he was to be back on the field. The receiver sprinted down the sideline and when he arrived at the end zone, he jumped in the air and delivered a powerful flying fist pump aimed at the crowd.

Edelman never played in Gillette Stadium last year. After sitting out the preseason home opener, he appeared in the next two road preseason games. His season ended in Detroit when he suffered a torn ACL.

“I mean, it’s been a long year. It was fun,” Edelman said. “The nerves were juiced and I was just excited to get out there and go out there and get to play football.”

His appearance in Thursday night’s 26-17 win over the Washington Redskins was his first game in Foxboro since the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 22, 2017.

Edelman was on the field for 16 snaps but was never targeted for a pass by quarterback Brian Hoyer. For Edelman, that didn't matter; it was more about testing his knee. It was also about feeling that energy from the crowd and playing with teammates, again.

“It was awesome. Honestly. It’s another step in the process of trying to get healthy and playing real football,” Edelman said. “You know, going out and hitting guys and feeling bodies. It was just fun to be out there and experience the stadium, the crowd. I’m not saying you take those for granted, but it’s been a while since I got to see them.”

Edelman probably would have liked to have had some passes thrown his way. During the first half, he looked frustrated as the offense under Hoyer stalled.

“It doesn’t matter. I mean, of course you always want the ball — Hoyer ...,” Edelman said before laughing. “No, but it was good to go out there and hit guys and have guys around you, cutting on turf. So, it was definitely a fun step.”

Edelman has said that his legs still don’t feel up to par after last year’s surgery. That’s why this preseason is so important. He will miss the first four games of the regular season to serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

“Hey, you’re always trying to get your legs back under you,” Edelman said. “I think I’m a week better than last week. I’m trying to go out there and get them a little more next week.”