Now Offcial, Welker out...

[NR0D]

Results from an MRI exam confirmed that Patriots WR Wes Welker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a non-contact injury on Sunday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Welker and the team expected that season-ending news following an initial evaluation of the injury on Sunday. Welker, who suffered the injury in the first quarter of New England’s 34-27 loss to Houston while planting the leg to make a cut, is expected to make a full recovery for the start of next season.

The seventh-year pro was enjoying a career season with a league-leading 123 receptions, accounting for 33.2 percent of Tom Brady’s completions.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/01/05/mri-confirms-torn-knee-ligaments-for-welker/

[psuasskicker]

It's good for us that we won't have to face him, but injuries suck, and this is unfortunate cause the guy is really an exceptional talent. I think it's almost unarguable that he's the best possession receiver in the game right now, and possibly ever. This probably hurts him next year, too, as it's very late in the season for this sort of injury.

- C -

[Carey]

It's good for us that we won't have to face him, but injuries suck, and this is unfortunate cause the guy is really an exceptional talent. I think it's almost unarguable that he's the best possession receiver in the game right now, and possibly ever. This probably hurts him next year, too, as it's very late in the season for this sort of injury.

- C -

Yea Drew Bennett was talking about how this injury could hurt him down the line with all the cutting, stopping and starting he does in the slot. He'll have to over compensate on the other leg which will cause hamstring issues, etc.

[RavenDavey]

Belichick is blaming the field at Houston...

Welker, who led the NFL with 123 receptions this season, suffered a serious left knee injury during a 34-27 loss to the Texans on Sunday on what Belichick called "one of the worst fields I've seen."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81586e26&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[RavenScallywag]

Strategy wise, this doesn't help us too much. Julian Edelman has replaced him in the "Welker role" earlier this season. He had 10 catches on Sunday after Welker left for 103 yards.

[psuasskicker]

One game does not mean Julian Edelman is an adequate replacement for Wes Welker.

- C -

[RavenDavey]

One game does not mean Julian Edelman is an adequate replacement for Wes Welker.

- C -

Exactly!! I can bet money that Edelman will have a cocky "patriot/belichick" attitude, and one good blast by Ray Lewis or Ed Reed will knock the smile off his little ass!! Let's see him come across the middle against our defense in a playoff game.....

[Purpleguy]

This actually helps us quite a bit. The Pats love throwing swing passes to Welker, and with our corners always playing 10 yards off that would have led to a lot of Patriot first downs. Now they will just keep hitting Moss deep.