Broncos WR Wes Welker Will Be Held Out Until Playoffs

Oct 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) during the game against the Washington Redskins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Be it as the number one, two, five, or whatever seed the Broncos get in the playoffs, it won’t be until then that star slot receiver Wes Welker plays another game.

Per ESPN reports, the Broncos plan to hold Welker out of action until the postseason, just to make sure he is 100 percent for a Super Bowl run. It’s a smart decision for the Broncos both in the short-term (meaning this season) and long term (meaning Welker’s health).

With two games left to play against the Texans and Raiders, two teams contending for top five picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, there’s no reason for Welker to rush back onto the field when he’s already more than proven that he is a valuable asset to the team and can help them win games.

Welker had two concussions in less than three weeks, which is a major cause for concern. Keeping him off the field against two bad teams and letting Andre Caldwell get some valuable late-season reps is a good decision.

Welker had a chance in the final two games to break 1,000 yards if he would have had a couple of big games, but his regular season will end with 73 receptions (his lowest since 2010) for 778 yards (lowest since 2006 in MIA) with a career-high 10 touchdown catches.

Welker’s lower numbers compared to his New England days were a result of the Broncos having so many star players to get the ball to, not because he wasn’t as effective. He was targeted 110 times in 13 games and proved to be a huge asset for Denver in the red zone, which is exactly what he’ll be again when he returns for the playoffs.

He is known as one of the toughest players in the league, but concussions are a different story entirely. Good for the Broncos handling this how they have.