Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards was placed on injured reserve late in his rookie year because of a neck injury that created some uncertainty about his future in the NFL.
Edwards’ injury was described by coach Jack Del Rio as “significant” at the time he was shut down for the season and Del Rio said a few months ago that the team was still hoping for a good outcome while waiting to find out if Edwards would be cleared to return to action. It appears they got that outcome.
Edwards posted an update to his Instagram account Friday announcing that he “got the final clearance I needed to return back to the game I love.”
Edwards played 14 games as a rookie and made 10 straight starts before he hit injured reserve. He had 42 tackles, two sacks and three forced fumbles up front for the Raiders and should resume a prominent role up front in Oakland as long as he remains healthy.