Edwards’ Comeback Is Derailed

The longshot comeback of running back Robert Edwards hit a snag Monday when he failed a conditioning test on the first day of training camp and was put on the physically unable to perform list.

The New England Patriots’ first-round draft pick in 1998, Edwards severely injured his knee in a beach football game at the Pro Bowl after that season.

He blamed Monday’s failure on anxiety and said he hopes to take the running test again after falling a second short of the required time.

“This is another step for Robert, and when he’s able to take it, we’ll move on to the one after that,” Coach Bill Belichick said.

“He’s come a long way, but there are still a number of steps for him to hit on the way back.”

Edwards, who gained 1,115 yards as a rookie, suffered ligament and nerve damage to his left knee in the beach game.

Although doctors thought he would be fortunate to walk normally after surgery, Edwards surprised them by regaining much of his speed and strength. Had he passed the conditioning run, which included 20 dashes of 60 yards each, he could have tested his knee’s durability in contact drills.

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Quarterback Josh Heupel, who led Oklahoma to the national championship last season, signed a three-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

Heupel, a fourth-round selection in April’s draft who finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting, will compete with Mike Quinn for Miami’s third-string quarterback job.

The Dolphins also signed defensive end Jason Taylor to a six-year, $42-million contract.

Taylor’s contract replaces the one-year, $5.39-million deal the Dolphins tendered the All-Pro end in February, when he was designated the team’s franchise player.

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The Carolina Panthers released injured defensive end Chuck Smith, who never fully recovered from major knee surgery.

He had four years remaining on a five-year, $21-million contract.

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Unsigned defensive tackle Gerard Warren, third overall pick in this year’s draft, was the only rookie no-show as the Cleveland Browns opened their camp. . . . Unsigned LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees, the San Diego Chargers’ top draft picks who are represented by the same agent, were no-shows for the opening practice of training camp. The Chargers’ negotiator, Ed McGuire said he spoke with agent Tom Condon but that “nothing’s going on.” “We’re trying to work through it, though,” he said.