Welker, Wes (Wide Receiver / NE)

Latest News:

02.26.12

The Patriots will franchise Wes Welker if the two sides cannot come to a deal on a long-term contract extension by the March 5 deadline, the Boston Herald reports.

Impact:
In that scenario, Welker would make roughly $9.5 million, which is not an ideal outcome for either side, given the large cap hit it would represent for the Patriots and the lack of long-term security the tag would offer Welker. In any case, assuming the report is accurate, the prolific wideout will be back with the Patriots in 2012, one way or another.

02.20.12

Wes Welker, who is scheduled to be a free agent, is reportedly not close to an agreement with the Patriots and is a candidate to be franchised by the team, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
The tag amount for receivers is slated to be about $9.4 million, a figure that the Patriots will no doubt find high, but losing Welker is an unappealing thought for the franchise as well. While there are those who might suggest that Welker's productivity hinges on the Patriots' system and the ability of star QB Tom Brady to deliver him the ball, replacing the prolific wideout would be a tall task for the team. We'd be very surprised to see Welker elsewhere next season, but if the Patriots elect to let him test the open market, an "offer he can't refuse" scenario from another team could conceivably arise.

02.06.12

Wes Welker caught seven passes for 60 yards in Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the Giants. He also rushed the ball twice for 21 yards.

Impact:
Unfortunately, Welker's outstanding regular season -- a league-high 122 catches for 1,569 yards with nine TDs -- will be overshadowed by a potentially game-changing pass in the fourth quarter that he was unable to corral. Though it wouldn't have been an easy grab, it's a play that Welker usually makes. Welker is slated for free agency this offseason and while some other teams may make a run at him, it's hard to believe that the Patriots won't make retaining their "slot machine" a priority.

02.05.12

Wes Welker (knee) is active for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Giants, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
Look for Welker, as usual, to see plenty of targets from QB Tom Brady on Sunday. Welker's ability in the slot will be especially valuable, given that the Giants' ferocious pass rush is bound to force Brady into plenty of quick reads and releases in the Super Bowl.

02.03.12

Wes Welker (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Giants, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
Welker's knee is fine. He'll definitely be in the starting lineup Sunday and should be at or very close to 100 percent health.

01.27.12

Wes Welker (knee) was a limited practice participant all week, ESPN reports.

Impact:
The Patriots are listing Welker as questionable heading into next week, but it's difficult to imagine a more useless injury designation. Barring a setback prior to the Feb. 5 Super Bowl, Welker will play.

01.20.12

Wes Welker (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Baltimore.

Impact:
It's not the most honest injury designation you'll see. There's no way Welker will miss this one if he avoids setbacks prior to game time.

01.18.12

Wes Welker (knee) was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact:
The Patriots chose to list 18 players on their Wednesday practice participation/injury report, while Ravens listed just one, Ed Reed (ankle). Of the players listed by New England, Welker is one of the safest bets to play in Sunday's AFC Championship.

01.14.12

Wes Welker (knee) is active for Saturday's game against Denver.

Impact:
He was listed as questionable on the injury report, but there wasn't any doubt that he'd be in the lineup Saturday. Welker, as always, is an elite fantasy option Saturday.

01.13.12

Wes Welker (knee) was limited at practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Broncos, the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact:
Welker is one of the 13 players listed as questionable by the Patriots this week, but of that group, he's one of the safest bets to play -- and produce -- this weekend.

01.11.12

Wes Welker (knee) was present for practice Tuesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
Welker (who, along with 14 teammates, was listed as limited Wednesday) had some time off last week with the Patriots on bye, but he'll be fine for Saturday night's game against the Broncos.

01.04.12

Wes Welker (knee) did not practice Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
Welker has been listed on the Pats' injury report of late with a knee injury, plus he took a good hit in the rib area this past Sunday, but so far there's nothing to suggest that his availability for next week's playoff game is in any danger.

01.01.12

Wes Welker caught six passes for 51 yards in Sunday's win over the Bills.

Impact:
Welker and Tom Brady weren't always in perfect sync Sunday, but more often than not they are, which bodes well for Welker's ability to help out Patriots' backers in playoff pools.

01.01.12

Wes Welker (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Bills.

Impact:
Welker, who leads the NFL with 1,518 receiving yards, is seven catches shy of matching his career-high of 123 catches. He has a shot to hit that mark, given how much QB Tom Brady typically looks his way.

12.30.11

Though the Patriots list Wes Welker (knee) as questionable, when asked if he expected to play Sunday against the Bills, Welker said, "absolutely," the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
The Patriots are playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, so unless this one turns into a blowout, Welker and co. should stay in the game for most, or all, of Sunday's contest.

12.29.11

Wes Welker (knee) was limited at practice Thursday, the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact:
The Patriots figure to list Welker as questionable Friday, but there seems to be little chance of him missing Sunday's regular season finale against the Bills.

12.28.11

Wes Welker (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, the Boston Globe reports.

Impact:
Of the 14 Patriots listed as limited Wednesday, Welker is among the least likely to miss Sunday's game against the Bills.

12.24.11

Wes Welker (knee) caught 12 passes for 138 yards in Saturday's win over the Dolphins. He also carried once for seven yards.

Impact:
With the win, the Pats earned a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs, but the team still has something to play for (home field in the postseason) next week.

12.24.11

Wes Welker (knee) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Dolphins.

Impact:
Feel free to roll with Welker as you normally would this week as he squares off against his former team.

12.23.11

Wes Welker (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, the Patriots' official site reports.

Impact:
Of the 15 players listed as questionable by the Patriots this week, Welker is among the most likely to play, but those still playing for something this week will want to scan Saturday's inactive list just to be sure.

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