National Football League

Pats' Welker benched for foot comments

Published Jan. 16, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker sat out the start of Sunday's playoff game against the Jets, and CBS reported on its broadcast that he was benched for mocking New York coach Rex Ryan during the week.

In meeting with reporters on Thursday, Welker made more than a dozen references to toes and feet, a not-so-subtle reference to recent foot-fetish reports involving Ryan and his wife. On the television broadcast, the announcers said Welker was being punished for his comments.

Asked about the reports, Patriots spokesman Aaron Salkin said, ''I guess we'll see.''

Welker received the punt after the Jets' opening drive, but Julian Edelman lined up with the offense.