Wes Welker returns to NFL with St. Louis Rams

Former Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker stretches prior to an NFL divisional playoff game. AP

By Chris Greenberg

November 9, 2015

2 minutes to read

Wes Welker is back in the NFL.

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher announced the signing of the veteran wide receiver on Monday. Welker, 34, had been a free agent since the end of last season.

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“He had a great workout this morning,’’ Fisher told reporters. “He’s really excited about where this team’s going, and I think he can potentially help us in a lot of different areas, specifically on third down and keeping the chains moving.’’

The Rams have a 4-4 record and are tied for second place in the NFC West.

Citing an unnamed source, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported details of Welker’s one-year deal.

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A prolific slot receiver for most of his 11-year career, Welker spent the 2014 and 2013 seasons with the Denver Broncos, where his production dropped off in the second season. Before joining quarterback Peyton Manning in Denver, Welker spent six seasons with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, leading the NFL in receptions three times during that span.

As the 2015 season progressed, Welker, who has a history of concussions, found himself occassionally frustrated by his lack of NFL job offers.

“The frustrating part sometimes is you look out there on the field and you see guys who are playing, and you’re like, ‘I should be playing,’’’ Welker recently told Rapoport. “That gets me a little bit. I love being at home with my kids, but at the same time, you have that itch and you’re looking out there and seeing how you can fit in with this team or that and there’s never really a perfect plan.’’

In April, Welker told Denver’s NBC affiliate 9News that he had been cleared to return to football for the 2015 season by a concussion specialist.

While Welker maintained that he wanted to continue playing, former Broncos teammate Champ Bailey hoped he would opt to retire.

“I don’t want Wes to play for my own personal reasons. I’ve seen him get concussions. It scares me,’’ Bailey told Fox Sports in July. “I think he can still play, but I don’t want him to play because of these concussions.’’