ATLANTA -- New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker suited up for Thursday night's 28-10 preseason victory against the Atlanta Falcons and played for the first time since injuring his knee in January.

Wes Welker had 2 catches for 20 yards in his return to action on Thursday night, appearing on the field for a total of 6 plays. AP Photo/Dave Martin

Welker was on the field for six snaps on the Patriots' opening drive. He caught a 6-yard pass on his first play back. On his second play, he was on the receiving end of a 14-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady that gave the Patriots a first down.

Both plays were over the middle and Welker was tackled both times. Welker was targeted on the third play, as well, but was hit hard on a receiver screen that was incomplete.

He finished the first drive -- and the game -- with those two catches for 20 yards.

"I think they are really significant," Welker said of his six plays on the field. "This is something I've really been working towards and really trying to come back and get back out there on the field. To be able to do it here in the second preseason game is kind of a milestone for me. It's something I worked my tail off to get to this whole offseason."

His long-anticipated moment came with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter of the Patriots' victory at the Georgia Dome. Welker, who had undergone surgery on his torn left anterior cruciate ligament on Feb. 2, jogged in off the sideline and joined his teammates for a first-and-20 play.