When the free-agency market finally opened last year, former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards drew a surprisingly low amount of interest. After he signed with the Falcons, coach Mike Smith disclosed that Edwards had “minor” knee surgery, which kept him out of the team’s preseason opener.
After a lackluster initial season in Atlanta, which included 3.5 sacks in 16 starts, Edwards has had another knee surgery. Smith made the disclosure at the Scouting Combine.
“There was a stretch in the season that he had a issue with his knee,” Smith said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He had a procedure done with his knee. We’re expecting him to be back at full health.”
The Falcons officially listed Edwards as probable with a knee injury in Weeks 10 and 11, questionable in Week 17.
The six-year veteran signed a five-year, $30 million contract last year. Edwards will become the top defensive end on the roster if/when John Abraham leaves via free agency. Abraham wants more than $12 million per year.