Raiders' Edwards says he's received clearance to return from neck injury

Mario Edwards Jr. appears set to make his return to the field in 2016.

The Oakland Raiders defensive end, who missed time with a neck injury toward the end of his rookie season, announced Friday that he's received clearance to play.

Edwards spent the last two weeks of the 2015 campaign on injured reserve with a neck injury that also revealed what the team later said was a "possibly genetic" issue.

Head coach Jack Del Rio and general manager Reggie McKenzie were optimistic about his status in the months that followed, but reports had also indicated that there was uncertainty heading into 2016.

After a rookie season in which he impressed both against the run and as a pass-rusher, Edwards' healthy presence is a major boost for a talented Raiders defensive front.