Wes Welker To Miss Playoffs With Torn MCL, ACL

NFL News - January 5th, 2010 - Written by John

Indianapolis Colts fans were livid when head coach Jim Caldwell yanked his starters in the name of safety two weeks ago, but New England Patriots fans probably have a more legitimate gripe that their head coach didn't.

Wes Welker shredded his knee in a relatively meaningless season finale last Sunday, and doctors informed him that he will miss the entire NFL Playoffs and begin a rigorous rehab assignment. His injuries were as extensive as he portrayed them to be while in agony on the sidelines, suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, and will undergo more tests next Monday. If the diagnosis is confirmed, he could be on the New England Patriots Injury Report until next December.

And just like that, the Patriots will be without the NFL's second-leading receiver when they host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday.

"You can't replace him, there's no doubt about that," Brady told Boston radio station WEEI, via ESPN. "There's nobody that can substitute in for Wes and think that they're going to be Wes. He is everything you ask for.

"We've got to move on and we've got to go out there and play, and everyone I think in different areas has to pick it up. I have to play better, Julian [Edelman] has to play better, Randy [Moss] has to play better, the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, we all have to do more. I think that's the commitment we have to make to one another."

If anyone on New England's roster has credentials to speak on the matter, it's Brady. The 10-year veteran split his knee last year in the opener and was forced to sit out the balance of the season while the Patriots missed the playoffs due to tiebreakers.

"Nobody loves Wes more than me," Brady said. "Going through a knee injury last year was a hard thing for me but in ways it was a good thing for me. It taught me a lot and I think for Wes it's going to do the same thing."

It seemed like New England was poised to make a return to prominence in '09, winning 10 games and reclaiming the AFC East crown. A big part of that was Welker, who broke the franchise record with 123 receptions and 1,348 yards and four scores.

Now, the club will have to rely on rookie Edelman to take his place. Edelman played quarterback in college, but has become a very reliable option out of the slot. When Welker went down, Edelman slid into his spot and led the team with 103 yards against the Texans.

"We're going to evolve a little bit as an offense now," Brady said on WEEI via ESPN. "It was a very Wes Welker-oriented offense. Maybe part of the advantage is Baltimore doesn't really know what they're going to see from us now. We're going to have to shift focus and they're really not sure where that focus is going to go."

But head coach Bill Belichick will certainly catch heat if the Patriots flounder in the playoffs this season.

"I felt badly for him," Belichick said. "He had a great year. It's unfortunate to see any player have an injury. Wes is a great competitor and I'm sure that he'll do whatever it is -- he'll work hard as he always does to bounce back."

Knee injuries of such extent typically take a full year to recover, meaning Welker may be out until next December.