Wes Welker Activated and Expected to Return to Patriots Practice

FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker passed his physical has been activated from the physically unable to perform list, and he will return to practice Sunday morning.

Welker, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, did not participate in the first six practices of training camp, but he was working out on the sidelines with team trainers. Welker was not wearing red, which means he has been cleared for full contact.

Welker suffered the injury during New England's regular-season finale in Houston, and he returned to the practice field June 2 during organized team activities. He participated in seven of the Patriots' 12 organized team activities and three minicamp sessions (the first four sessions were strictly for young players, so Welker wasn’t asked to practice). During each non-contact practice, Welker stretched with the team and broke off into positional drills for about 30 minutes before departing to work out on his own in the practice bubble.

Welker expected to wear a knee brace throughout the summer, but he wasn’t sure if he'd have to wear it during the regular season.