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Ready to help Garoppolo
Edelman praises QB’s work ethic
By Nora Princiotti
Globe Correspondent

FOXBOROUGH — Julian Edelman, who used to be one, has a soft spot for quarterbacks.

He can’t be Tom Brady’s security blanket until Week 5, but the Patriots wide receiver was able to offer some praise for Jimmy Garoppolo, who will be targeting him in the interim.

“As far as evaluating him, you know, I could say that he works hard and he’s grown up a little bit over these last couple of years,’’ Edelman said. “But that’s not really my job to go out and say how he’s doing with this and that, so I’ve just got to prepare to do everything I can to help him out.’’

Edelman referenced the behind-the-scenes work Garoppolo has done as Brady’s understudy since 2014. Since Brady rarely cedes the field, even deep into blowouts, Patriots fans have seen so little of Garoppolo that it’s easy to forget that he has two full seasons of development with the team under his belt.

Edelman said Garoppolo is significantly more confident in the huddle than he was when the Patriots drafted him.

“First year, for any kind of quarterback, it’s a complete culture shock of how crazy the game is and how complex the game is and you know, you just see guys grow, getting a little more comfortable calling plays or this or that and naturally guys will do that,’’ he said. “So it’s been good to see him do that, he’s been working his tail off.’’

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels cautioned during a conference call Sunday that all the studying and practicing still doesn’t add up to regular-season reps.

“There’s really nothing that can give you the experience of playing in a regular-season game other than playing in them,’’ McDaniels said.

McDaniels said that the burden of being without Brady for the first four games isn’t going to fall exclusively on Garoppolo, and that the entire team will have to be accountable for the Patriots’ success, or lack thereof.

Patience, and knowing that they’ll go up against other teams with good players and good coaches, will be key.

“We’re not going to get too high or too low based on one day, one play, or one series or one quarter of football,’’ McDaniels said.

First for Amendola

Danny Amendola practiced for the first time this year after coming off the PUP list. The wide receiver wore a helmet and shell to practice, just like all the other players, and participated in warm-up drills during the beginning portion of the session.

Amendola was expected to start the season on the PUP list after missing the entire preseason, but was a surprise activation for the Week 1 roster.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Barkevious Mingo were the only unexpected absences from the practice.

Tackle Nate Solder was present after leaving Thursday’s preseason game against the Giants with an injury, but mostly stood and watched warm-up drills during the first part of practice.

Defensive linemen Geneo Grissom and Woodrow Hamilton and wide receiver Devin Lucien were practicing, indicating that they have been signed to the practice squad. Guard Chris Barker and linebacker Rufus Johnson, both previously reported practice squad signees, were also there.

Wide receiver Devin Street and running back Bishop Sankey have also been signed to the practice squad, as reported by ESPN. Those two players, plus the five spotted at practice, leave three spots unaccounted for on the practice squad.

Slater grateful

Wide receiver/special teams ace Matthew Slater spoke for the first time after his contract was extended by one year, through 2017.

Slater, a career Patriot who has been with the team since 2008, said he was grateful to coach Bill Belichick, team owner Robert Kraft, and the whole organization for trusting him.

“I’m very humbled to have that opportunity and I’m very thankful and I’ve never believed in self-made men and I know that I’m not a self-made man either,’’ Slater said. “A lot of people that have supported me along the way, important in my life and in my career, have enabled me to stand where I stand today, so I’m very thankful.’’

Through all those years with the Patriots, Slater has formed tight bonds, including one with defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“You know, Rob’s a good friend of mine and I know him and I talked about that situation and I understand what happened and I understand that the situation is what it is,’’ Slater said. “I love Rob. He’s been a great friend to me and my family, so I’ll support him as best I can and then it is unfortunate but I think that’s really all I can say about that.’’

Primetime special

Wide receiver Chris Hogan seems to be enjoying his time with the Patriots. Having served as the top option at the position during the preseason, with Edelman limited and Amendola out, he was in a secure position on cut day.

“I slept last night,’’ Hogan said. “I couldn’t say that for four years. I usually don’t sleep and I usually just kind of stare at my phone. But this is a tough day for a lot of guys and I’ve been there.’’

Now, Hogan gets to look forward to playing in primetime against the Cardinals, and he doesn’t mind the limelight.

“It’s going to be Sunday before we know it,’’ Hogan said. “Sunday night! You know, I played in one primetime game a year when I was in Buffalo and now we’re playing in the first one of the season.’’

Follow Nora Princiotti on Twitter @noraprinciotti.