FOXBORO, Mass. — While the rest of the New England Patriots toed the company line and said they had not rewatched Wes Welker‘s game-changing hit on Aqib Talib, veteran defensive end Andre Carter spoke out Monday.
Welker leveled Talib with 13:36 remaining in the second quarter of the Patriots’ 26-16 AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. Welker was running a pick play on a designed pass to fellow receiver Demaryius Thomas. Talib did not return to the game after suffering rib and knee injuries.
“People said it was dirty, people said it was nasty,” Carter said Monday. “I can’t say it was uncalled for, but it was a play that was unacceptable.”
The 13-year veteran played with Welker in 2011 with the Patriots. He came back to New England in October to help shore up the Patriots’ pass rush.
“Wes, was he doing his job? I’m sure he was to a certain degree,” Carter said about his former teammate. “Do I think the hit could have been cleaner? Yes. I mean, there’s no question. I’ve been around a lot of football to see that. But at the end of the day, it was a nasty play, but we’ll see what happens, we’ll see what the league does. That’s all I can say.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick agreed with Carter’s assessment, calling the hit “one of the worst plays” he’s seen.
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