Report: Drew Brees has multiple rib fractures, collapsed lung

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/16/20

Drew Brees played just one half of football for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. He left due to a rib injury, and now things don't sound good for Sean Payton's quarterback.

Any kind of rib injury isn't good for an athlete, but Brees has far worse issues than just a single cracked bone. According to ESPN's Ed Werder, Brees has multiple rib fractures on both sides and a collapsed lung on the right side of his chest.

Source: Results of medical evaluations performed today on #Saints quarterback Drew Brees revealed that he has multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side. Injuries suffered over two weeks. It is uncertain how much time he might miss.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 16, 2020

Drew Brees suffered two fractured ribs Sunday against the 49ers and three others on the right side the previous week against the Bucs that were not seen on X-ray until today. Brees has been advised to be cautious with the collapsed lung.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 16, 2020

Oddly enough, the Saints were in a similar position with Brees last season. The 13-time Pro Bowler missed five games due to injury, and backup QB Teddy Bridgewater was forced to step in. Bridgewater went 5-0, keeping the Saints in playoff contention and earning himself a starting gig with the Carolina Panthers in the process.

The Saints now hope that Jameis Winston can replicate the success Bridgewater found last season. It's unclear whether the team would use Winston or Taysom Hill as the starter moving forward, but Winston did replace Brees on Sunday, indicating that is the route the Saints may go.

Winston revealed after the game that he felt very comfortable taking over for Brees. He got out to somewhat of a slow start, completing 6-of-10 passes for just 63 yards, but he didn't turn the ball over and led the Saints down the field for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cap off a 27-13 victory.

The key for Winston will be to not turn the ball over if he does get the nod as the club's starter, which is something he did all too often last season with the Buccaneers.

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