On Sunday, the heart and soul of the team will play in the regular-season opener against the Bengals, 252 days after tearing the ACL in his left knee. Welker wasn’t shy in expressing the emotion he'll feel when he steps onto the field at Gillette Stadium.
"It will mean a lot," Welker said. "That’s what I've been working toward this whole time, making sure I was out here for Week 1. Every day, we're a little bit closer. I just can't wait. I'm excited. I've got the whole family coming to town. We're all excited and anxious to get out there."
Welker is the only player in NFL history to record three consecutive seasons with at least 110 receptions, and he's hauled in 346 passes for 3,688 yards and 15 touchdowns during his three years in New England.
Once Sunday has come and gone, he hopes his storylines will be more about his on-field performances than his off-field rehabilitation.
"We've been through a lot this offseason, and it's kind of one of those deals where it's time to almost turn the page," Welker said. "Break the ice and get back out there."
