National Football League

Patriots WR Welker will miss regular season finale

Published Jan. 2, 2011 5:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

Receivers Wes Welker and Deion Branch are inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins, indicating the Patriots are going to allow their starters to rest up for the playoffs.

Although quarterback Tom Brady was still in the lineup, he won't have his top three targets. Tight end Aaron Hernandez was also inactive.

Welker was injured in the regular-season finale last year and missed the playoffs.

Also on the Patriots' inactive list were: offensive lineman Dan Connolly, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and defensive linemen Brandon Deaderick, Ron Brace and Mike Wright.

Among the Dolphins inactives were receiver Julius Pruitt, cornerback Nolan Carroll, linebacker Mike Rivera and tight end Anthony Fasano.