Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees is nearing his return for the New Orleans Saints, but it doesn't appear likely that it will come against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport says that Brees "won't practice much, if at all" Wednesday, despite him being eligible to return from the IR this week after missing three games. Brees had 11 total rib fractures and a punctured lung, per ESPN's Ed Werder, so naturally, the Saints are taking their time as he progresses. Rapoport does note that Brees is making steady progress and leaves open the possibility that the Saints push him later in the week to see if it's possible he could return this weekend, though the most likely scenario is that he'll make his return next weekend, when the Saints are scheduled to host the Kansas City Chiefs.
Frankly, the Saints don't have a ton of reason to rush Brees back right now. Tayson Hill has stepped in during Brees' absence, and won three consecutive games. That's not to say that Hill provides the Saints with a better option than Brees, but he's played at a high enough level that there's no need to force Brees back for a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost four consecutive games.
Brees missing another week would have massive ramifications on fantasy football playoffs, which begin in most leagues this week. Because of his running prowess, Hill has become an impactful late-season addition for some teams, averaging 21.77 points in ESPN standard leagues over his three starts. Obviously, that won't continue when Brees returns. On the flip side, though, running back Alvin Kamara has averaged 11.46 fantasy in the three games that Hill has started, while he was putting up an earth-shattering 27.37 points per contest with Brees under center.
As we circle back to real-life football, the Saints are 10-2, and currently control the top spot in the NFC. However, with a matchup looming with the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs next week, it's important they don't slip up this week in Philadelphia. Seemingly, they should roll over the 3-8-1 Eagles regardless of whether Brees returns or not, but with the Eagles turning to rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback, there is some added intrigue in the matchup.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram