The Patriots have enough to worry about in Sunday's playoff game against the Ravens without WR Wes Welker, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 17 against the Texans. But they also must think about, in time, how Welker's injury will affect the offseason plan. Receiver — already considered a need position because of the lack of a third consistent playmaker — might get bumped up the list slightly. The Patriots might be fine at the position in the long run, especially if Welker and Brandon Tate come back from injuries and Julian Edelman continues developing as the team hopes he will. Athletes suffering ACL and MCL injuries concurrently often struggle to come back as quickly as those who suffer one or the other, and it could be especially tough for Welker, whose game relies on a lot of planting, cutting and quick-twitch movement. But if he's as diligent in his rehab as he is in practice, weight-room and film preparation, Welker should be able to get back to playing form by the start of next season.

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