FOXBORO, Mass. — Wes Welker felt a little different when he woke up Monday morning. After sitting out Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Welker was refreshed and pain free.
"Definitely felt a lot better physically, so it was nice," Welker said Thursday. "It was a little strange having that day off, but at the same time, it was relaxing and my body felt great."
Since Welker does the dirty work over the middle of the field, he takes on a number of vicious hits on a weekly basis, and that makes for a lot of sore Monday mornings. So, the precautionary rest in a meaningless season finale was welcomed.
He also said there wasn’t much of an explanation given; he just got the word that he wouldn't be playing, took it in stride and went on with his business.
Welker got a different message from the coaching staff Wednesday. At the close of practice, Bill Belichick gathered the team and announced that Welker and left tackle Matt Light were added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
"It feels good," said Welker, who also mentioned he'd prefer to play in the Super Bowl (players on teams in the Super Bowl won't participate in the Pro Bowl). "Obviously, I don’t think it's been my greatest year or anything like that, but at the same time, I'm definitely happy about being added onto the Pro Bowl squad.
"I don’t think anybody wants to play in [the Pro Bowl] at this point, but at the same time, it's a great honor to be a part of it."
