WR Wes Welker.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots removed cornerback Ellis Hobbs, linebacker Bo Ruud and wide receiver Wes Welker from the PUP list today. All three players participated in the Patriots' 2:30 p.m. practice at Gillette Stadium.
Hobbs, 25, has played in 47 games with 33 starts over three NFL seasons, all with the Patriots. The 5-foot-9-inch, 195-pound cornerback was selected by the Patriots in the third round (84th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. Hobbs has totaled 151 tackles (125 solo), six interceptions for 87 yards, 30 passes defensed, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and eight special teams tackles. He has also returned 60 kickoffs (two for touchdowns) for an average of 27.2 yards. In addition, he has recorded two playoff interceptions for a total of eight career picks. In the 2007 season opener against the Jets, Hobbs recorded the longest kickoff return in NFL history, bringing back the opening kickoff of the second half 108 yards for a touchdown. At the time, it was also the longest play in NFL history.
Ruud, 23, was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Nebraska. The 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound linebacker was a three-year starter at Nebraska. He started 33 of 46 games and finished his career with 216 total tackles, including 4.5 sacks.
Welker, 27, has played in 63 games with 16 starts over four NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers (2004), Miami Dolphins (2004-06) and Patriots (2007). The 5-foot-9-inch, 185-pound wide receiver was acquired by the Patriots from the Dolphins on March 5, 2007, in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft and a seventh-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. In 2007, his first year with the Patriots, Welker set an NFL record by recording the most receptions by a player in his first season with a new team (rookie or veteran), totaling 112 catches. His 112 receptions in 2007 set a Patriots franchise record and tied for the NFL lead with Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Welker's 112 catches are tied for the 11th highest single-season total in NFL history. Welker caught 11 passes for 103 yards in Super Bowl XLII, tying the Super Bowl record for most receptions in a game. His 11 grabs equals the totals of Deion Branch (2004), Jerry Rice (1988) and Dan Ross (1981).
