Wes Welker Injury: Status for Patriots' Star Unclear

The New England Patriots have clinched a playoff spot, but decided to play their starters for Sunday's game.

That decision might cost them their season.

New England's Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker suffered a left knee injury in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. The injury occurred after Welker made his only catch of the afternoon. Welker attempted to make a cut in the middle of the field in order to gain extra yardage and the knee on his planting leg buckled. Welker went down immediately and grabbed the knee in obvious pain.

Welker walked off the field with some help, but was taken into the locker room on a gurney with a towel over his head. Welker could be seen crying on the sideline while the team doctors looked at the injury.

The New England Patriots have confirmed that Welker suffered a knee injury, but the only information they've released is that Welker will not return to the game.

Welker had a league-leading 123 receptions for 1,348 yards and four touchdowns. He was selected to his second Pro Bowl earlier in the week.