Edwards’ Run With the Patriots Is Cut Short

Robert Edwards was released by the New England Patriots on Friday, the latest setback in the running back’s struggle to resume his career after a devastating knee injury sidelined him for two seasons.

Edwards, the 18th player selected in the 1998 draft, was hampered because of a groin injury for most of training camp. He didn’t play in the first two exhibition games and missed most practices.

“This in no way detracts from the remarkable accomplishments Robert has achieved through two years of dedication and commitment,” Patriot Coach Bill Belichick said. “He has our lasting respect and admiration and his story will always be an inspiration to everyone. We just reached the point where we ran out of time.”

New England has three running backs who have been playing well--Antowain Smith, J.R. Redmond and Kevin Faulk.

Edwards, 26, rushed for 1,115 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie out of Georgia. He also caught 35 passes for three touchdowns.

He was injured Feb. 5, 1999 during a beach football game held in conjunction with the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. He sustained serious damage in his left knee and nerve damage in his left leg.

He spent the past two seasons rehabilitating his leg and made an amazing recovery to return to camp. He had his first contact in practice the first week of training camp, which opened July 23.

Edwards said throughout training camp that the knee was fine but that an injury to his groin, aggravated during a blitz pickup in camp, was holding him back. He said he first strained the groin during the team’s minicamp in June.

“It never really had the proper rest,” he said.

*

Hoping to avoid opening the season with replacement officials, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is cutting short a trip to Mexico.

Spokesman Greg Aiello said that Tagliabue plans to meet Monday with Tom Condon, who represents the league’s officials “in a final attempt to reach an agreement.”

Tagliabue was scheduled to leave New York on Saturday for Mexico City, where the Dallas Cowboys are playing the Oakland Raiders in an exhibition game Monday night. Instead, he will fly to Dallas on Monday to meet with Condon.

*

Jacksonville cornerback Fernando Bryant has a separated shoulder that will keep him out two to four weeks. ... Tampa Bay’s Derrick Brooks signed a four-year contract extension worth around $30 million, making him one of the league’s highest-paid linebackers. ... Denver plays its first game tonight at Invesco Field at Mile High. The New Orleans Saints will be the opponent. ... Doug Flutie, San Diego’s 38-year-old quarterback, has a stiff hip and might not play tonight against St. Louis at San Diego. ... The NFL plans to launch a marketing campaign for the Pro Bowl in an effort to spark interest in the game, including expanded fan voting to select the starters. The NFL drew 880,000 fan votes last season, compared with 10.5 million for Major League Baseball.

*

Tony Banks, signed nine days earlier after being cut by Dallas and using a limited play book, completed 12 of 15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns as the Washington Redskins rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit and defeated the Cleveland Browns, 27-25, in an exhibition game at Landover, Md.

*

Nate Jacquet returned a punt 76 yards to break a fourth-quarter tie and Daunte Culpepper threw touchdowns of 74 and 54 yards to Randy Moss as the Vikings defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 28-21, at Minneapolis. The Colts’ Edgerrin James rushed for 44 yards.