Deion Branch says that Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will catch up just fine following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Branch knows the drill. He suffered the same injury during Seattle's divisional playoff game against Green Bay in January of 2008. He didn't return to action until Week 5 of the next regular season. "Wes will be OK. To me, the biggest thing about the injury is not the injury, it's not the surgery, it's not the rehab, it's how mentally strong you are," Branch said. "If you're strong mentally, you will overcome everything about this injury. "My thing was I wasn't going to let this injury hold me back. Wes has a great work ethic. He's positive. With that combination of work ethic, being positive and being mentally strong, he'll be OK. He'll be fine. "The only downside to it is the duration of time. It's a long time to have to be patient. You have to understand you're not going to be making big jumps and strides. You have to take baby steps with it. Some guys want to see the production immediately. But it doesn't happen with this type of injury."