Wes Welker Injury: Updates on Patriots WR's Ankle

With his team holding a giant lead over the St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots' wide receiver Wes Welker hobbled off the field with an apparent ankle injury. 

ESPN's Field Yates reported the news. 

"

Patriots WR Wes Welker limps off the field after making a catch. Appears to be a left ankle issue.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 28, 2012"

If this is an ankle injury, the first fear needs to be that it is the dreaded high-ankle sprain. Recovery times differ on those injuries, but they are far harder to come back from than regular sprains, and recovery can be especially difficult for a receiver—especially a slot receiver like Welker.

At the time of writing, the Patriots are up 45-7 in the fourth. So New England isn't going to miss him in this game. Also, the Patriots have a bye next week. In other words, if this injury was going to happen, now was the time.

Welker was having a decent day when he was forced from action. He had six catches for 48 yards, and his nine targets were second on the team to Rob Gronkowski. 

After a slow start to the season with oddly inconsistent playing time, Welker has been one of the Patriots' main weapons. However, with this recent injury and a banged-up Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots are surely hoping that the bye week can help these offensive playmakers get healthy.

Welker leads the Patriots this season in receptions, receiving yards and targets. Clearly, he's still a valuable target for Tom Brady in New England's offense.