Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker Not Considering Retirement
Aug 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is walked off the field following a head injury late in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
If you believe everything John Fox says, Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker is apparently not considering retirement after suffering his third concussion in the last 10 months.
“That’s not been brought up at all,” Fox said. “… I didn’t sense that.”
In order to play against the Indianapolis Colts a week from Sunday, Welker has to be free of symptoms that Monday before the game, cleared by a third party doctor not affiliated with the team. The Broncos aren’t going to rush Welker back into anything either, especially with what’s gone down in recent months.
“Our first priority is his safety and well-being,” Fox said. “… I know as an organization his well-being is our first priority. … We just take it one day at a time. We’ll see how he gets through today, and I get updated on every day medically on every player, including Wes in this case. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Coupled with the suspension of Matt Prater, the concussion for Welker kept a dark cloud over the Broncos’ otherwise quite successful preseason as it pertains to their starting units, having just shut out the San Francisco 49ers and leaving the field with a lead against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Broncos also finished off the first half against the Texans with a bang, scoring two touchdowns in less than two minutes.
Fox’s comments about Welker seem…positive? It’s hard not to be scared for Welker, but it’s also not my brain. Concussions are a result of your brain being jarred so hard it hits your skull. There are different effects from these, both short and long term, and obviously you don’t want Welker to have to deal with any lasting injuries or ailments.
Some former NFL players have recently been in the news for really dark reasons, some even having committed suicide over what many believe to be brain injuries they suffered in football games and practices.
The heightened awareness to that certainly has fans in an uproar about Welker’s current situation, but I think you’d have to drag him off the field. I foresee him finishing out this season with the Broncos if at all possible.