Barring a setback, Wes Welker will be in action Sunday when his Denver Broncos face his former team, the New England Patriots.
Not that word of his availability is a surprise; Welker would need more than a sore neck and bruised brain to miss the NFL's Week 12 showcase game.
Still, Welker had to pass league concussion standards before being cleared for the game, which kicks off Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Foxborough, Mass.
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Welker, the Broncos' leading receiver, carries the official designation of "probable" for the game.
"It's kind of like Peyton (Manning) was a while back — if you had the 'definitely will go' category, he'd probably be on there too," interim coach Jack Del Rio told The Denver Post.
Also of note: Expect tight end Julius Thomas to be a game-time decision. He is questionable with a knee sprain. Thomas has 10 touchdown catches, but backups Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen are equally capable options for Manning.
The Broncos are without free safety Rahim Moore for the remainder of the season. Moore had emergency surgery Monday for a serious blood-flow condition, The Post noted. Duke Ihenacho and Mike Adams, strong safeties by trade, will start against the Patriots and QB Tom Brady.