Tom Brady, Wes Welker to play catch at Patriots QB's house
8:38 AM PT
Mike Reiss
ESPN Staff Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady has recruited Wes Welker as a throwing partner this weekend. The former Patriots receiver explained how it unfolded during a radio co-hosting appearance Friday on 560 WQAM in Miami.
"It was funny. I hit him up [because] I'm actually heading up to the game [Saturday], and I hit him up to do dinner Saturday night," Welker said. "[Brady] was like 'I'm going to be flying in from Ann Arbor later, but hey, how about that morning we go throw?' And I'm just sitting there, like, 'I was just thinking about dinner, but yeah, sure.' I'll get over there early and we can throw a little bit. That's the only thing we really have planned."
Brady is serving a four-game suspension to open the season as part of the NFL's Deflategate penalties against the Patriots. The star quarterback is being honored Saturday at his alma mater, Michigan.
Wes Welker was one of Tom Brady's favorite targets with the Patriots from 2007 to 2012, when he had 672 catches and made the Pro Bowl five times. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
As part of his suspension, Brady is prohibited from engaging in any football-related activities or discussions with current teammates at or away from the Patriots' facilities, which even includes working out or playing catch.
Welker, 35, was one of Brady's top targets during his six-year stint with the Patriots from 2007 to 2012, when he had 672 receptions and made the Pro Bowl five times.
"It was just funny," said Welker, who currently is a free agent. "I'm sitting there trying to have dinner and 'Hey, get your *** up here and let's go throw!' I'm like 'Geez, man, he's going to be running like two-minute drills in his backyard or something.'"
Welker appeared in eight games last season with the Rams and had 13 catches. Brady is eligible to return from his suspension after the Patriots' Week 4 game against the Bills on Oct. 2.
