Patriots, Welker can't agree on deal

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., July 16 (UPI) -- New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will play under a one-year deal after he and the team failed Monday to reach a long-term contract.

The Pats designated Welker as their franchise player in February, so he will play under a one-year, $9.5 million contract during the upcoming season, The Boston Globe reported.

Under NFL rules, the two sides won't be able to negotiate again until after the season.

The 31-year-old Welker said in May he had hoped to reach a long-term deal before Monday's deadline, but no agreement materialized.

He hauled down 122 passes in 2011, giving him an NFL-best 554 receptions since 2007.