To protect his brain that had been knocked silly earlier this season, Wes Welker took on a look straight out of the Jetsons. He wore an oversized concussion helmet Sunday that dwarfed his head, which is otherwise proportioned nicely for a 5-foot-8, 185-pound slot receiver.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a concussion helmet,” Welker said, his muscular arms laced with raw abrasions from shoulder to forearm after the Broncos’ victory. “It’s the next size up. A few players in here wear one. It’s something they had me wear for safety.”
Welker also wore a colorful mouthpiece. Concussion experts say wearing the right mouthpiece can be vital in reducing the impact of a head blow.
In his first game back in five weeks, Welker’s performance was mixed. He made six catches, including a 3-yard touchdown reception which was big at the time, giving the Broncos a 14-0 lead, and became even bigger when the Broncos hung on for a 24-17 victory. He also drew a 23-yard pass interference penalty in the fourth quarter that keyed another Broncos touchdown drive that put them up 24-7.
But Welker also dropped a well-thrown, 25-yard pass down the left seam from Peyton Manning that would have given the Broncos a first-and-goal from near the goal line. Instead of going up 21-0, the Broncos had to settle for a field goal and a 17-0 lead.
But for a first game back, not bad.
“It felt all right,” Welker said. “I’ll be going over that one play down the middle all night tonight. But it’s good to be back out there competing again.”
Manning pointed out it was the first time since Nov. 10 and the first of three games against the Chargers that he had his Fantastic Four set of receivers — a group that also includes Julius Thomas, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker — for a full game.
“It was good to have Wes back,” Manning said.
Next up for the Broncos: Welker’s former team, the New England Patriots. Never mind personal grudge matches. This will be in the AFC championship game Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
“It will be a good game,” Welker said in his usual understated manner.