New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is dealing with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung, ESPN’s Ed Werder reports. It’s unclear if the veteran QB will be able to return to the field this season.
According to Werder, Brees fractured two ribs in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers and three more, that were previously undetected, in a Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brees was lifted from the 49ers game at halftime after being shook up by a hit from Kentavius Street. After the game, he sounded somewhat optimistic that he wouldn’t miss much time, if any.
“When I came out in the second half and started throwing the ball (to warm up), it became really apparent that I wasn’t going to be effective,” Brees said post-game. “I’m not sure what tomorrow holds, but you can know I’m going to do everything I can to be as effective as I possibly can for next week.”
The Saints’ backup quarterback is Jameis Winston, the former second-overall pick who was cut by the Buccaneers after throwing 30 interceptions last season. In Sunday’s game, Winston was six for 10 on his pass attempts for 63 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
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