FOXBOROUGH — Patriots receiver Julian Edelman is in a walking boot after reinjuring his right foot, according to league sources. It was a break in his right foot that led him to be placed on injured reserve in December.
Edelman will miss the Patriots’ on-field organized team activities in the coming weeks; one source said there is an outside chance he will be able to participate in mini-camp June 11-13, but it would be on a limited basis.
A seventh-round draft pick out of Kent State in 2009, Edelman was a free agent this year but returned to New England after signing a one-year deal. That contract has a maximum value of just over $1 million, with a base salary of $715,000, which is the league minimum for a player in his fifth season. He also has bonuses tied to his production. None of the money is guaranteed.
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Edelman has long been considered the heir apparent to Wes Welker at slot receiver, but has missed 16 of 64 regular-season games. He was in line to get more snaps in the offense last season but suffered a hand injury in Week 3 in Baltimore that caused him to miss three games; he was placed on IR on Dec. 4, after suffering the right foot injury against the Dolphins two days earlier.
Learning the routes
The Patriots’ receiving corps has undergone a makeover, and at the moment, Michael Jenkins, at 30, is the oldest guy in the group. Jenkins, signed as a free agent on March 28 after being released by Minnesota, is entering his 10th season in the league.
He said Tuesday the time has flown by, but he’s eager for his chance with New England. He hasn’t been told what kind of role he’ll have, nor does he have any predictions on what it might be.
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Jenkins was asked about the history of veteran players coming to the Patriots and struggling to pick up the playbook.
“I can’t say why they’ve struggled before. I just try to do my part in studying, kind of be well-rounded, knowing all the positions within the receiver position, just fit in where I can,” he said. “I’ve always considered myself a quick learner and being able to pick it up, so hopefully that continues to happen for me and I can pick it up.”
The Ohio State product joked about catching passes from a Michigan man in Tom Brady, but “he’s one of the best in the league, so I’m looking forward to being out there with him and trying to do my part.”
Jenkins spoke of helping his younger teammates, like Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce, just as he learned from older players when he was getting his start.
“You just know they’re excited, they’re glad to be here and make some plays,” he said of the rookies. “We’re going to help them out, just like guys helped me out when I first got in the league.”
Asked some of the players he got advice from, Jenkins said, “there were different guys. When I first got to Atlanta, Warrick Dunn was there, he was a true pro; the receivers, Peerless Price and Dez White.
“When Tony Gonzalez got there [in 2009] he showed me a lot, and he’s still doing a lot of things his 16th or 17th year, so I definitely bit off a lot of things that he’s done to be successful for such a long time.”
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Jenkins, who has been exploring the area around Foxborough, was headed to his first Red Sox game on Tuesday night.
Honored company
Tedy Bruschi, already one of three finalists for induction in the Patriots Hall of Fame this year, was one of 14 people named to the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. A defensive end at Arizona, Bruschi was a two-time All-American (1994, 1995) and left with 52 sacks, tied for the FBS record. Linebacker Rod Shoate, who played in New England from 1975-81, will also be inducted. A three-time All-American at Oklahoma, Shoate helped the Sooners to an undefeated season and national championship in 1974. One other player with Patriots ties was among the honorees: quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who spent the 2006 season with New England. Wayne Hardin, the head coach at Navy from 1959-64, is one of two coaches inducted; Bill Belichick’s father, Steve, was a member of Hardin’s staff for the duration of his tenure . . . The Patriots claimed rookie running back Akeem Shavers off waivers from Tampa Bay. Listed at 5 foot 11 inches, 203 pounds, Shavers spent two seasons at Purdue; last fall he ran for 871 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on 181 attempts, with six touchdowns, and had 18 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns.
Shalise Manza Young can be reached at syoung@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @shalisemyoung.
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