Wes Welker Injury: Updates on Broncos Star's Back and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 9

Jeff Legwold of ESPN reported on Wes Welker's status for Sunday:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5

Jeff Legwold of ESPN reported on Wes Welker from Broncos practice:

Original Text

Wes Welker's 2014 season hit another snag after the Denver Broncos wideout left Sunday's game with a back injury.

Doug Kyed of NESN passed along the news:  

The season got off to an ignominious start for Welker. First, he suffered a concussion in a preseason game that would've likely kept him out for at least Week 1. That problem was compounded when the NFL suspended him for the first four games of the season after he tested positive for amphetamines.

Bleacher Report's Will Carroll made the point that missing the first four weeks would actually be good for Welker's health:

The NFL reinstated Welker after only two weeks. The league and player's union reached an agreement that limited his suspension to two games instead of four.

Even before this most recent injury, Welker's role in the Broncos offense was diminishing. His 73 receptions and 778 yards were his lowest output since his final season with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. Peyton Manning also targeted him 111 times, down from his average of 154 in six seasons with the New England Patriots.

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

In most offenses, losing a receiver as reliable as Welker could present a problem. For the Broncos, it's as simple as looking to the next man up. Manning has no shortage of capable targets in the passing game.

Demaryius Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the league. At 26 years old, he's at the peak of his powers.

Julius Thomas is also assuming a larger presence in the passing game after his breakout 2013 campaign. He's also the team's best target in the red zone.

In addition, the signing of Emmanuel Sanders served to drain some of the targets that might've gone Welker's way after the departure of Eric Decker. Sanders is having a great season, on pace to set personal bests in receptions and receiving yards.

Welker makes the Broncos offense better but not demonstrably so. Denver has shown that it can manage without him on the field.