Wes Welker Carted Off With Knee Injury

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker injured his left knee on a first-quarter reception in Houston Sunday, a potentially devastating blow to New England's playoff hopes.

Welker, who had a franchise-record 122 receptions through Week 16, crumpled to the turf after his knee buckled as he tried to make a cut. He was helped off the field, limping heavily, and appeared to be crying once he made it to the Patriots' bench. Welker was carted off the field moments later, joined by multiple members of the Patriots' staff.

Sunday night, ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on Twitter that initial tests revealed both a torn ACL and torn MCL for Welker, and that he would undergo more testing Monday.

New England had wrapped up the AFC East prior to Week 17 and will have to play in the postseason's opening round, which begins next Saturday.

"Not too good," Welker's dad, Leland, told the Boston Globe. "We're sick. We're absolutely sick. We take all those hits and stuff all season long. And then just one fluke cut, and he just blows it out."

Welker's injury will add more fuel to the debate over resting starters late in the season. Indianapolis came under fire after pulling its starters early in a Week 16 loss to the Jets.

The Patriots gave every indication this week that they would play their starters for much of Sunday's game -- and the remainder of the starting offense stayed on the field after Welker's injury -- but you have to wonder if Bill Belichick is regretting that decision now.

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