FOXBOROUGH — Wes Welker didn’t get to participate in all this fun last season.

The Patriots receiver was sitting in box seats at Gillette Stadium, his injured knee propped up, while his teammates took on the Ravens in the wild-card round.

Welker rehashed those days in his first media session of the week yesterday, and later drew a few snickers — whether he intended to or not — with his playful choice of words about the Jets-Patriots matchup.

Welker’s dry sense of humor may have been on display as he dropped references to “foot’’ or “toe’’ 10 times in a press conference that stretched about nine minutes. He also used the phrase "step-up." The choice of words could have been considered a dig at Rex Ryan and the foot-fetish videos that some believe feature the Jets coach and his wife.

Welker’s first reference came in his response to an opening question about Tom Brady’s value during the postseason.

“It goes without saying, the guy is who he is and he does a great job of making sure everyone is on the same page and putting their best foot forward going out there and playing well and doing what they can out there,’’ Welker said.

Asked how to convey a sense of urgency to younger players for the postseason, Welker said, “You just talk to them. It’s a playoff atmosphere and you can’t just stick your toe in the water, you’ve got to jump right in and make sure you’re ready to go and make things happen.’’

When describing what makes Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis so effective, Welker said, “I think he is very patient. He has good feet. He moves around really well. He understands the game. He gets his hands on you pretty well.’’

Welker may have been a talking in clichés or showing a little cleverness. But the quote that may have given him away came when he was asked how the team is handling the playoff atmosphere at practice.

“[We’re] really moving forward and we’re going out there being good little foot soldiers,’’ Welker said.

Teachable moments Vince Wilfork looked up to players such as Richard Seymour and Willie McGinest in his early years with the Patriots.

Now as Wilfork moves through his seventh NFL season, he said, he doesn’t look at himself as just a player anymore. He assumes other responsibilities.