WR Welker passes physical, practices with Patriots has 0 comments

Aug 1st 2010, 19:14 | FFN-Score: 34 points

Two-time Pro Bowl WR Wes Welker practiced with the Patriots on Sunday, just eight months after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Not long after Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio announced at his training-camp news conference that Welker had passed his physical, the receiver was on the field catching passes from quarterback Tom Brady.

The Patriots had placed Welker on the active physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

Welker had surgery in February, one month after he injured the ACL on the fourth offensive play of a 34-27 loss at Houston in the regular-season finale. He also damaged his medial collateral ligament, which didn't require surgery, on the play when he planted his left leg after making his NFL-leading 123rd catch of the season.

However, Welker recovered quickly, participating in agility drills and catching passes while wearing a brace on his knee during organized team activities June 2. Now Welker is OK to participate in training camp.

Without Welker, whose 346 receptions during the past three seasons were the most in the NFL, the Patriots used rookie Julian Edelman as a slot receiver in their playoff loss to the Ravens. Randy Moss is New England's other starting wide receiver.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.