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There weren't too many people that would ever question Wes Welker's toughness anyway, but he garnered even more respect Thursday night in the preseason game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons just by taking the field.
Welker is a little over seven months removed from tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee and just over six months removed from having reconstructive surgery, yet there he was lining up at wide receiver in the first quarter and running routes for quarterback Tom Brady. Welker stayed in for six snaps on New England's 12-play scoring drive and caught two passes from Brady -- a 6-yarder on a hook route and then a 14-yarder, absorbing a hard hit and bouncing right back to his feet.
Most of those around the Patriots believed Welker would wait another week before testing the knee but he had been itching to get back out on the field and catch a pass when the live bullets were flying. After the game, Welker felt comfortable with his decision."Getting out there, getting to catch the ball, get hit and things like that, it was good to have and good to see everything held up all right," said Welker, who led the NFL last year in receptions with 123 for 1,348 and 11 touchdowns. "It''s a step forward. I don't know if we're all there yet. But it's a step forward."
Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin made an astute observation on his daily radio show this afternoon heard on South Florida's 560-WQAM about Brady's willingness to throw to Welker right away. Having caught passes from another Hall of Famer in Troy Aikman during his career with the Dallas Cowboys, Irvin described Brady's actions as that of a championship quarterback. He said not too many quarterbacks would make that statement, which was basically that he trusts Welker enough that he is going to help him get his confidence back.
Now Welker can focus on getting confidence back in his knee and allow Brady and the others to continue to marvel at his progress.
Wes Welker's Knee Passes Big Test
Aug 20, 2010 – 3:55 PM
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