Wes Welker has suffered two concussions in the last three weeks and the Denver Broncos wide receiver is now expected to sit out the final two weeks of the season for Denver as he looks to return during the playoffs.
According to ESPN, Welker underwent light activity on Thursday but it was reported Friday that he'll be ruled out for the team's road game against the Houston Texans this Sunday, and the team will likely keep him sidelined for the regular season finale on the road against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 29, according to league sources cited by ESPN.
As part of the league's concussion protocol, Welker has continued to be evaluated by the team's medical staff and an independent doctor as part of the league's concussion protocol after he left games in Week 11 and Week 14 with concussion injuries. The team hopes that Welker will be back in time to participate in its first playoff game.
Welker is looking to avoid suffering a third concussion and a team source told ESPN that his safety and well-being is "still the highest priority."
Welker hasn't been cleared yet to practice, but ESPN reports that he worked out in the weight room on his conditioning and did light on-field work outside.
"The exercise is picking up,'' coach John Fox said, according to ESPN. "They're doing more and more with him in the weight room, running around out here a little bit and ... he's doing better every day.''
Welker left the Broncos Dec. 8 game against the Tennessee Titans just before halftime when his head and neck were injured on a hit by George Wilson, and he hasn't been a practice participant since. Welker also suffered a concussion on Nov. 17 when the Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-17.
The Broncos are 11-3 and can clinch home-field up until the Super Bowl and a first-round bye with victories over the Texans and Raiders to close the season.
Welker is one of many weapons that Peyton Manning has to choose from in the Broncos receiving corps, and has 73 catches for 778 yards with 10 scores this season.
Welker sat out last week against the San Diego Chargers, and the Broncos fell 27-20.
Without him in the lineup for the last two games, the Broncos will look for better results than last week without one of their best weapons.
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