New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker returned to practice Thursday after missing the previous day with a neck injury. Welker appeared to suffer the injury on his last catch of Sunday's loss in Pittsburgh, he was grabbed by Steelers safety Troy Polamalu around the shoulders and in the neck area and taken down with about six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Welker was slow to get up, but remained in the game. After the game, Welker spoke to reporters, and on Wednesday he held a conference call with New York media, but did not appear in the Patriots locker room. Source: ESPNBoston
