Wes Welker left yesterday’s game with a concussion, and it looks like it may be serious enough to keep him out of their next game. Welker is playing in his first season for the Broncos after enjoying great success with Tom Brady and the Patriots for several years.
During the Broncos game that was played on Sunday, Wes Welker was forced to leave before halftime, due to a hard hit that he suffered, which lead to a concussion. This is the second concussion that he has suffered in the past four weeks, after suffering the same injury against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 17.
In yesterday’s game, Welker appeared dazed following the hit that was delivered from Titans’ safety Bernard Pollard. He went low in an attempt to make a catch late in the second quarter, and received a hit in the head as Pollard tried to break up the pass.
Luckily for the Broncos, they have been able to win both games that he has been injured in, but Welker is one of the top receivers in the league, and certainly Peyton Manning’s favorite target on the field, just as he was for Brady. Despite losing Welker, the Broncos beat the Titans 51-28, and clinched a spot in the playoffs with a record of 11-2.
Broncos are the 2nd team in NFL history to have 3 players (Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker) reach 10+ Rec TD in same season.
— Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) December 8, 2013
Wes Welker is now subject to the NFL’s concussion protocol, which baseline testing on Monday. Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers also suffered a concussion recently in an NFL league that seems to leave players injured more often than in the past.
Unfortunately for Broncos fans, even if he were cleared to play this week through the test, he would still be unable to play in Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.
The protocol states that a player who is cleared for activity the day after a concussion is only able to participate in the non-contact parts of practice on Thursday, and with this week’s game being on a Thursday, that does not allow him to play.
Wes Welker may never leave his house again with all these concussions.
— Eric Schroeder (@Eric_Schroeder1) December 9, 2013
Wes Welker's out this week from a concussion #KarmaBitch
— Jake Gramstorff® (@JakeGramstorff) December 9, 2013
Along with Peyton Manning, Wes Welker has been an important part of the Broncos offense that has been destroying its opponents throughout the season, especially in the first half of the season.
Before leaving the game with his injury, Wes Welker was able to catch five passes for 61 yards and 1 touchdown. In the 2013 season, Welker has 73 receptions for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Added that Trindon Holliday will practice tomorrow RT @GrayCaldwell: Fox said Wes Welker will go through concussion protocol.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 9, 2013
Image via Wikimedia Commons