Wes Welker wants to play in 2015, open to Patriots reunion

Veteran wide receiver Wes Welker says he wants to play next season, is open to Patriots reunion

Veteran wide receiver Wes Welker says he is healthy and wants to play next season.

Welker has dealt with concussions issues in each of the past two seasons while playing for the Denver Broncos.

He said he was cleared to play after completing cognitive tests to see if he had any lingering symptoms from the head injuries.

“I want to play. The more I’m away from it the more I want to go out there and be on a team and everything else. It’s just kind of taking everything a day at a time, making sure I’m training and doing everything I need to do to be ready,” Welker told Boston radio station 98.5 The Hub.

Welker, 34, said he has never considered retirement, even after his two-year deal with the Broncos expired after last season.

2015 NFL off-season report cards

“At times you’re sitting there and thinking, ‘Well maybe I should.’ I think it’s just people kind of [pressuring you], but the more you think about it, and you’re away from it, I’m not ready to [retire]. I still feel good,” he said. “I still feel like I have some really good football left in me. I’ve always said [I’ll play] until the wheels fall off.”

He says he wouldn’t mind being reunited with the New England Patriots, a team where he had his greatest success.

Welker spent six seasons with New England, catching 672 passes for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns. He made five Pro Bowls and was an AP First-team All-Pro selection twice.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to it. It’s a great organization, obviously, and a great team. It wouldn’t be the worst situation in the world,” he said.

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Welker caught 49 passes for 464 yards and two touchdowns last season and has 9,822 career receiving yards in 12 NFL seasons.

- Scooby Axson