Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has been suspended for four games for using performance enhancing drugs. Edelman has appealed his suspension. If the suspension is upheld, Edelman will miss games against the Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Dolphins. Edelman will forfeit nearly a million dollars in salary.

Edelman’s suspension is the latest in what has been a tumultuous off season in Foxboro. From losing the Super Bowl to key veterans departing in free agency to Brady and Gronk skipping off season workouts, the drama surrounding the Patriots is at an all time high.

So how will the Patriots deal with the impending loss of Edelman for four games? Lean on the next man up. Despite the loss of Danny Amendola in free agency, the Patriots have enough depth at wide receiver that they could survive without Edelman for a quarter of the season.

The suspension will lead to more opportunities for guys like Malcolm Mitchell, Jordan Matthews, rookie Braxton Berrios and Kenny Britt. All four will have to step up and help fill the void with Edelman’s suspension. It cannot simply fall on Rob Gronkowski and the running backs like it did last season.

The bottom line is, Edelman screwed up! Period! No one is out to get him and no screwed him over. He did this to himself. Some members have insinuated that there might be a connection between Edelman’s PED use and his relationship with trainer Alex Guerrero. Guerrero denied having anything to do with Edelman’s PED use in a prepared statement earlier today but it does make you wonder if there is some connection between the two?

For now, we have to assume that Edelman chose to cheat on his own and that it had nothing to do with Guerrero. Regardless of how it happened, it was a selfish act that will tarnish Edelman’s reputation. He will be labeled a cheater and rightfully so.

Add Edelman’s suspension to the list of issues with this Patriots team. The Patriot Way will be tested this upcoming season.