Welker travels to Atlanta with Patriots
Wes Welker’s surgically repaired knee has continued to show signs of improvement and odds are he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. Welker continues to slowly improve his knee and travelled with the Patriots to Atlanta for the team’s second preseason game, against the Falcons.
“It's still kind of the same, we're making strides," said Welker, who did not play in the team's preseason opener against the Saints. "At the same time, there are good days and bad days. We're just trying to work through them.”
Welker tore his ACL in his left knee in the Patriots’ final regular season game against the Houston Texans last year. He collapsed to the turf on a routine catch after making a cut up field. Welker missed the Patriots lone playoff game, which was a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Patriots’ receiver says that rehabbing his knee has been like a full time job and he tries to take steps forward whenever he can. The team has said that they are taking things slowly in making sure Welker is 100 per cent before he gets any playing time. Welker is itching to get back onto the field in full contact and play in a game.
"Absolutely, you practice so much and rehab, so to get out there in real game action with the crowd and the stadium, the adrenaline is going, that's the atmosphere you want," he said.
A concern for Welker is that many are wondering that even when he does return, if Welker could be the same great player he was before the injury. Welker’s made a career out of being able to make cuts at any time and run through defences. Welker was asked if he’s able to do those kinds of cuts right now.
"I'm able to do it, but obviously I have this knee brace on, so it's not what I want it to be or where I need to be. But we're slowly making strides, and slowly getting there."
Some were speculating that Welker was rushing back from injury because he wants a new contract. He has two years left on his current deal and a very promising Julian Edelman seems to be the next in line to take Welker’s place. Welker has said that’s not the case and that he just wants to be back on the field as soon as he can.
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