Wes Welker (AP)

After he was introduced to Twitter this past season, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker embraced the medium, interacting with fans on a regular basis (and even taking one of them up on a suggestion for a touchdown dance).

But in the wake of his missed connection with quarterback Tom Brady late in Super Bowl XLVI, Welker stayed away from Twitter … until Wednesday. That’s when the veteran posted his first update in roughly three weeks, Tweeting: I would like to thank all of my fans for your love and support. I looked outside and the sun came out. #vacationtime

Welker, who is scheduled to become a free agent next month, finished the season with 122 catches for 1,659 yards and nine touchdowns. The 2011 season marked the last year of a five-year contract he signed with New England shortly after joining the Patriots in 2007.