Drew Brees was on the receiving end of a hard hit in the first half of the Saints 27-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday that ultimately knocked him out of the game with a rib injury.
The quarterback said following the victory that he’s uncertain of how this injury will affect him moving forward.
“It’s just a matter of how long it’s going to be,” he said. “And honestly, I really, I really don't know. It's not something quite to this extent that I've experienced. Like I said, I'm just going to take it one day at a time."
He was able to finish the first half of the game despite feeling “terrible” and planned to play the second half despite feeling some pain. Brees was 8--of-13 for 76 yards and a touchdown at the break. But when the New Orleans offense took the field at the start of the third quarter, backup Jameis Winston was under center instead of the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
“When I came out in the second half and started throwing the ball it became really apparent that I wasn’t going to be effective,” Brees said.
Brees quickly alerted Saints coach Sean Payton that he didn’t feel like he’d be able to be play.
“He felt strong enough about letting me know and I know when he does that, which is probably going to be the first time in 15 years, that it was significant enough that he felt like he couldn’t function,” Payton said.
Payton said Brees will get an MRI and X-Rays to determine the extent of the injury.
Brees said he is “going to do everything I can to be as effective as I possibly can for next week” and said he was glad the Saints were able to earn the win.
“I think it says a lot about our team, a lot about our coaches, says a lot about our grit and determination,” he said. “And listen, time and time again throughout the season we've had moments where guys have been down in key positions and other guys have stepped up and done a great job or those around them have just elevated to a new level. And once again, that's what happened again today.”