Drew Brees Has Multiple Rib Fractures, Punctured Lung

Saints quarterback Drew Brees left the teams win over the 49ers on Sunday and now we have a clearer picture as to why.

According to Ed Werder, Brees has five fractured ribs and a punctured lung. In fact, he suffered three of the five fractures in the Saints win over the Buccaneers a week ago.

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

At this moment, it is unclear how long Brees will be out but with just six games remaining in the regular season, it not far-fetched to think he will not return for the rest of the regular season. In the interim, the Saints will turn to former Buccaneers quarterback, Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill. Last season, Brees missed five games and in his absence, Teddy Bridgewater went 5-0 to keep the Saints playoff hopes alive. New Orleans hopes a combination of Winston and Hill can do the same this year with the Bucs on their heels in the NFC South.

Saints coach Sean Payton declined to offer any injury updates on Drew Brees or who would replace him as the starter, since he said it wouldn’t benefit the team to reveal that information early in the week.

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) November 16, 2020

As for the long term ramifications for Brees, that is unclear. At 41 years old, there is some thought that this would be his final season regardless of how it ended. With an injury possibly putting an end to his season, it may well be the last we see of Brees in the NFL. For the season, Brees has thrown for 2,196 yards, 18 touchdowns, and three interceptions.