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November 19th, 2013
Welker's Status For Patriots Matchup Uncertain
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is undergoing concussion evaluation and will not be a full participant in practice until Friday at the earliest.
Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio said that Welker, who was injured in Sunday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, will undergo baseline concussion testing at some point Monday. By NFL protocol, Welker will be limited in practice this week and is permitted to make a full return to practice Friday at the earliest, only if doctors say he has passed the baseline test.
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"First concern obviously is that he's ready to return when doctors give him the green light," Del Rio said. "When he's able to go, he'll go."
Welker's status for next Sunday's showdown with the New England Patriots -- his former team -- is uncertain, but sources told ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen that the star receiver is expected to be OK. Welker sustained the injury on a 20-yard catch-and-run play in the fourth quarter Sunday, when he was tackled by Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey but also was hit in the helmet by safety Eric Berry. Welker started to leave the field and then took a knee.
Welker was checked by Broncos doctors and re-entered the game for five plays, but was pulled from the game after the fifth play, a 9-yard reception.
"My understanding is we followed protocol, he was cleared to return, he had symptoms that came up and he was pulled," Del Rio said Monday. "He'll go through the protocol this week. ... [Doctors] checked him, allowed to return, symptoms came that were problematic and he was pulled. They saw an issue and they pulled him. I think it worked the way it was supposed to."
Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, who suffered a right knee strain Sunday, is considered day to day, according to Del Rio.
