ESPN's
SportsCenter Twitter account (via ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Jeff Legwold) reports
Wes Welker is unlikely to play again until the postseason:
Mortensen and Legwold provided additional context via ESPN.com:
The team's hope is that Welker, who left games in Week 11 and Week 14 with concussions, will recover in time to play in the postseason. Welker continues to be evaluated by the team's medical staff and an independent doctor as part of the league's concussion protocol.
A third concussion in such a short span could end Welker's season, and one source said the player's well-being is "still the highest priority."
Welker has not been medically cleared to practice, but on Thursday he spent some time working with the strength and conditioning staff in the team's weight room.
Gray Caldwell of DenverBroncos.com reports that Welker is officially out.Denver Broncos wide receiver
Wes Welker suffered a concussion in their Week 14 matchup with the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter. The team's official Twitter account confirmed the news.
Welker,
one of Peyton Manning's most reliable weapons, suffered the injury on a hit by Titans safety Bernard Pollard. After Welker went down to catch a ball, Pollard came crashing in and delivered a blow to Welker's head and neck.
A few plays later, Pollard hit
Eric Decker and was then flagged for unnecessary roughness as a result, though it appeared Pollard led with his shoulder.
Mike Pereira, the former vice president of officiating for the
NFL and current rules guru for Fox Sports, disagreed with the penalty.
Welker had five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. The slot receiver has compiled 73 receptions for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
ESPN's
Jeff Legwold reports that Welker will likely miss Thursday's game against the Chargers:
Welker is now subject to the NFL's concussion protocol, which will include baseline testing Monday. However, even if Welker were to be cleared for activity this week with that exam, the protocol would preclude him from playing in Thursday night's game against the San Diego Chargers.
The Broncos are fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and they'll need all their playmakers healthy for the final few weeks of the regular season. But this is Welker's second concussion of the season, which means the team will be especially cautious with his return.