Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Report: Brees has collapsed lung, broken ribs
Drew Brees has been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed right lung, a person with knowledge of the situation said Monday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced specifics about Brees’ injury.
The 41-year-old quarterback said he was hurt on a heavy hit by San Francisco defensive lineman Kentavius Street in the second quarter of New Orleans’ 2713 victory over the Niners on Sunday.
Brees’ injuries, which were first reported by ESPN, are expected to sideline the quarterback for multiple weeks. Two of the Saints’ next three games are against the Falcons, first on Sunday in the Superdome and then in Atlanta on Dec. 6. In between, New Orleans visits Denver on Nov. 29.
Saints coach Sean Payton said Monday he would not comment on any injuries before the first required injury report of this week Wednesday.
But with Brees virtually certain to miss upcoming games, the Saints’ offense is likely to be run primarily by Jameis Winston, a 2015 first overall draft choice by Tampa Bay whom New Orleans signed to a one-year contract as a free agent this offseason.
Taysom Hill, a utility player who intermittently takes over for Brees on option plays – but also plays tight end and on special teams – also could see his snaps at quarterback increase, depending on Winston’s performance.
While Brees initially missed just two plays after the hit by Street and returned for another touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the half, he told Payton he did not feel fit to continue in the second half on Sunday. Winston took most of the snaps after that, with Hill also running a number of plays behind center.
Winston completed 6 of 10 passes for 63 yards and Payton said he thought Winston “did a good job,” but added that the offense as a whole was hampered by injuries to other key regulars, including receiver Tre’Quan Smith and tight end Josh Hill, who both left with concus
sion symptoms.
Saints face discipline for no masks: ESPN is reporting the New Orleans Saints are facing significant discipline for not wearing masks during their postgame celebrations last Sunday night – as seen in videos they posted to social media, including the team’s own Twitter account – after their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 8.
Video of Saints players and head coach Sean Payton dancing and celebrating their 38-3 victory over Tampa Bay trended last Sunday night. Multiple players were clearly not wearing masks during the celebration in the locker room, which is a violation of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols – and the league noticed, according to sources.
The Saints are facing stiff fines and the loss of a draft pick, similar to the action the NFL took against the Raiders earlier this month, when Las Vegas was fined $500,000, head coach Jon Gruden was fined $150,000 and the fran
chise was stripped of a sixth-round pick for COVID-19 protocol violations.
Bridgewater’s injury not serious: The reeling Carolina Panthers desperately needed some good news coming off their fifth straight loss, and it appears they got some on Monday.
Coach Matt Rhule said on a video conference call that medical tests revealed that Teddy Bridgewater “does not have a serious knee injury” and he added that he’s hopeful the quarterback will return to practice Wednesday and play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Rhule was less forthcoming on the status of 2019 All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury.
Ravens sign Williams: The Baltimore Ravens fortified their defensive backfield by signing free agent cornerback Tramon Williams, who hasn’t played since last season.
The 37-year-old Williams played in all 16 games with Green Bay a year ago. He has 13 seasons of NFL experience, most of them with the Packers.
Chiefs’ coach and GM get extensions: The Kansas City Chiefs signed Andy Reid and Brett Veach to contract extensions Monday.
Reid, who recently passed Curly Lambeau for fifth on the NFL wins list with 230, is in the midst of his eighth season in Kansas City.
Whitworth carted off with knee injury: Los Angeles Rams veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth was consoled by several teammates as well as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson before he was taken off the field on a cart with an injured left knee late in the first half.
Whitworth, a 15-year NFL veteran and the cornerstone of the Rams’ offense under Sean McVay, was injured when Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright accidentally hit the side of Whitworth’s leg.
As Whitworth was being helped to the cart, Wilson, wearing a mask, came over and shook his hand. Other Seahawks as well as Whitworth’s Rams teammates consoled the 38-year-old lineman.
Whitworth had played every snap this season and 99% of last season’s snaps for the Rams. Whitworth, who began his career with 11 seasons in Cincinnati, hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2013.
Teams ban fans from games: Due to the City of Philadelphia’s new coronavirus restrictions, which limits outdoor gatherings through Jan. 1 as COVID-19 cases increase across the country, the Eagles will no longer host fans at home games, the team announced.
Lincoln Financial Field opened the season without fans in the stands, but a month ago, the Eagles coordinated plans with the city and state to allow a maximum occupancy of 7,500 people, including approximately 5,000-6,000 fans, to attend home games. That policy was in effect for contests against the Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles have three home games remaining, the next on Nov. 30.