The American was fighting hard in fifth position in torrential wet conditions when he uncharacteristically fell at Turn Seven on lap 21.
The crash brought to an end a run six-straight top-five finishes.
"Fifth was going to be the best result I could have managed today and that's a bit disappointing because in the dry I think I could have been fighting for a podium," said Edwards. "I'm just grateful I didn't get hurt in the crash because I've got my home race coming up and I desperately want to put on a good performance for the American fans at Laguna Seca."
The Tech 3 Yamaha rider qualified third for the race, but knew he was in for a difficult afternoon as soon as it began to rain.
"All I can is it was a very tough race right from the start," he said. "The conditions were not easy but I got a reasonable start and just wanted to get into a steady pace.
"But it was obvious from quite early on that it was going to be difficult. I didn’t have a lot of feel from the rear tyre and I tried everything I could to hang in there and keep a top five finish. It would have also kept my own personal good run going.
"But as the race wore on it wasn’t getting any better and I lost the rear at the downhill left-hander," he explained about the accident. "I had no warning at all and I didn't feel I was particularly pushing too hard because by that stage a podium had already gone.
"I was trying to keep Andrea Dovizioso behind me to at least finish top Michelin rider. I'd tried to follow Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi but I just didn't have anything for them."
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