Report: Saints’ Brees seeking second opinion on chest injuries
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is seeking a second opinion on the extent of his chest injuries, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Tests performed Monday revealed multiple fractured ribs on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung.
T he second opinion will help the Saints decide whether to place the 41-year- old veteran on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least three games.
Brees did not play in the second half of Sunday’s 27-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers after taking a big hit from defensive tackle Kentavius Street just before halftime.
New Orleans (7-2) brings a six-game winning streak into Sunday’s game against the visiting Atlanta Falcons (3- 6).
The Saints have a decision to make at quarterback with Brees on the sidelines. Jameis Winston played the entire second half against the 49ers and completed 6 of 10 passes for 63 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Versatile backup Taysom Hill has completed 4 of 5 passes for 86 yards this season, along with rushing for 186 yards and a touchdown and catching six passes for 74 yards and a score. LEAGUE TOPS 50 POSITIVE TESTS FOR 2ND STRAIGHT WEEK >> The NFL and NFL Players Association reported more than 50 positive COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive week on Tuesday.
Testing for the period from Nov. 8-14 resulted in 52 new cases: 17 among players and 35 among other personnel.
On this latest report, the league and union said 43,148 tests were administered to a total of 7,856 players and team personnel. Among those, 17,161 tests were administered to 2,482 players and 25,987 tests were given to 5,374 personnel. WASHINGTON HAS VIRUS CASE, GIANTS, FALCONS ADD TO COVID LIST >> The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons each put a player on the NFL’s COVID-19 list, while Washington had its first instance of someone in the organization testing positive for the coronavirus since the season began.
A f ter New York announced an unidentified player tested positive, Giants kicker Graham Gano landed on the reserve/COVID-19 test. The Falcons put wide receiver Laquon Treadwell on it, as well. Gano is the second Giants player in three weeks to go on the COVID-19 list after guard Will Hernandez on Oct. 29, who was activated Nov. 10 and played Sunday against Philadelphia. The Giants, who have a bye this week, said two staff members were told to remain home after coming into contact with the player who tested positive.
Washington’s positive test result was the team’s first since July. A person with direct knowledge of the situation said the player who tested positive did not travel with Washington for its game at Detroit last weekend.
ALL-BLACK OFFICIATING CREW ASSEMBLED FOR FIRST TIME >> The NFL will have an all-Black officiating crew for the first time in league history when the Rams play the Buccaneers on Monday night.
The crew consists of: referee Jerome Boger, umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries and back judge Greg Steed.
Five members of the crew work together regularly. Johnson and Steed will join the group for this game. The crew has a combined 89 seasons in the league and has worked six Super Bowls.
ANTONIO BROWN INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION >> Antonio Brown’s alleged off-field conduct has the attention of the NFL once again. The league is investigating an incident reported by the Miami Herald in which Brown was accused of breaking a surveillance camera and heaving a bicycle at a security guard on Oct. 15.
Brown, who joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an eight- game suspension, is accused in a police report of causing the disruption in Hollywood, Fla., near his residence.
BENGALS WAIVE DE MCKINLEY AFTER FAILED PHYSICAL >> The Cincinnati Bengals waived former firstround pick Takk McKinley, less than a week after getting the defensive end off waivers.
McKinley failed his physical, the team said.
The Bengals acquired McKinley on Nov. 11, two days after he was waived by the Atlanta Falcons.
VIRTUAL PRO BOWL: GAME WILL PLAY OUT ON MADDEN NFL 21 >> The Pro Bowl will play out on the EA Sports “Madden NFL 21” video game after the reallife version of football’s allstar game was canceled. The NFL opened monthlong fan voting Tuesday for the first virtual Pro Bowl, which could feature players whose team makes the Super Bowl because they won’t have to attend.