According to The Boston Globe, Welker also will need to rehab from rotator cuff surgery, and there is currently no timetable for his return.
Big Rips blog initially broke the news, claiming that Welker would miss the entire upcoming season due to the tear, which was reportedly operated on by the same doctor that repaired Laurence Maroney’s torn labrum.
Both the Globe and ESPN.com confirmed the story with NFL sources but did not repeat the blog’s prognosis of missing the entire 2010 season.
Welker already faced an uphill battle to be 100 percent for the start of the Patriots’ season with just one serious injury. A shoulder problem is another challenge for the receiver to overcome.
If Welker is unable to go and the Pats don’t make a move in free agency, New England will be saddled with a large hole in its offense. Rookie Julian Edelman stepped in admirably at times last year but could not match the reliability and production of Welker, despite accounting for the Patriots' only two touchdowns in their blowout loss to the Ravens in their AFC Wild Card game.
