Nobody expected Wes Welker back so soon. Nobody but Welker himself.
The Patriots’ Little Wideout That Could will fully participate in training camp when it begins in Foxboro next week, according to a report on 98.5 The Sports Hub‘s Gresh and Zolak Show. A source also indicated to the show that Welker won’t be placed on the physically unable to perform list.
If Welker were to be placed on the PUP list, he still could join the active roster before the regular season begins. If he were still on the PUP list at the beginning of the regular season, he would have to sit out the first six weeks of the season. While he’s yet to be medically cleared, according to the report, he will be an active member of the roster when camp begins on July 29.
Despite being limited to just 14 games (and just a few minutes in one of those 14), Welker led the NFL with 123 receptions and finished second in receiving yards with 1,348. Since joining the Patriots in 2007, he’s caught more passes than anyone else in the NFL with 346 as Tom Brady‘s most reliable target. In the ’07 playoffs, Welker caught 27 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
He suffered a torn MCL and ACL in the opening minutes of the Patriots’ Week 17 loss to Houston, an injury that was expected to keep Welker out for the first month or two of the season at the least. He spent his winter rehabbing and mostly keeping quiet about his recovery, so when he showed up to OTAs looking as good as ever, expectations changed.
Now, Welker can work with the team throughout training camp and, if all goes well, suit up for the Patriots’ season opener against Cincinnati on Sept. 12.