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Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints stands looks on from the sideline in game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15, 2020. /CFP
Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, was found to have suffered multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side after medical evaluations on Monday, according to ESPN.
Brees was injured in the game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Though he pushed through the pain to finish the first half, Brees already had difficulty breathing after so he did not play the second half. According to ESPN, he broke two ribs on the right side in this game. The three fractured ribs on the left side happened in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 8.
Doctors said the fractures on his right might have punctured Brees' lung and led to a pneumothorax, which is why he had difficulty breathing on Sunday. He will send his scans to other medical specialists for a second opinion before deciding on the full scope of his injury.
Players of the New Orleans Saints celebrate their 27-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, November 15, 2020. /CFP
The Saints have already achieved six straight wins and currently lead the National Football Confederation South with a 7-2 record. If they have to put Brees on injured reserve, he will miss at least three games, not to mention that full recovery may take even longer.
"Wednesday is our first day that we're required to (report injuries). And to be fair to the process, let's stick with that," said Sean Payton, head coach of the Saints who refused to update anything on Brees' status or the 41-year-old's replacement. "None of it benefits us by announcing that player earlier than later. I wouldn't project or answer that in any way. We'll see how this week unfolds."
Having played 20 years in the league, Brees only missed six games. The Saints have two options for his replacement: 30-year-old Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston. "Both he (Winston) and Taysom have a good feel for what we're trying to do. They pick things up. And I feel like it's a good room," said Payton after Winston finished the second half of the game against the 49ers.
