Julian Edelman breaks foot, but could return this season

Julian Edelman caught four passes for 53 yards, before leaving Sunday's game against the New York Giants in the first quarter. (bostonglobe.com)

Tom Brady lost a receiving threat in Sunday's narrow 27-26 win over the New York Giants, as Julian Edelman left after the first quarter with a broken foot.

Edelman was targeted five times in the opening 15 minutes, catching four passes for 53 yards. He entered the game as the team's leading receiver with 57 catches for 639 yards, and will now hold the second spot with 61 catches for 692 yards.

According to Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo, the broken bone is believed to be the fifth metatarsal -- a Jones fracture, similar to the injury that Dez Bryant suffered in Week 1.

Julian Edelman's injury is to his fifth metatarsal, believed to be a true Jones fracture. Possible return for playoff

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 16, 2015

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reports that Edelman will undergo surgery on Monday.

Julian Edelman will undergo surgery Monday for a broken bone in his foot, per source. There is hope he will return this season, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 16, 2015

Bryant was able to return seven weeks after his injury, and if Edelman's timetable is the same, he'll be able to come back for Week 17 against Miami. Of course, it's worth noting that two injuries, while similar, cannot be compared, and thus the return timetables could be entirely different.

Since 2013, Edelman is third in the NFL in receptions, with 258. Only Demaryius Thomas (271) and Antonio Brown (318) have more.

As a result, the Patriots are now without two of their preeminent offensive catalysts. In addition to Edelman, the Pats are without the services of Dion Lewis for the rest of the season, after suffering a torn ACL in last week's win over Washington.

Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61