While the Drew Brees injury news was bad, it wasn’t as bad as Bobby Hebert initially thought it might be.
“With a thumb injury, you’re thinking it might be 8-10 weeks.”
The current reports are that Brees will miss at least six weeks. The Saints have their bye week after that before taking on the Atlanta Falcons for the first time. Depending on his recovery and whether the Saints put him on injured reserve, Brees could be back to start the second half of the schedule. Until then, it’s Teddy time.
“Teddy Bridgewater has to come in and weather the storm,” Hebert said. “That’s why we paid him the big bucks to be the back-up.”
“Payton will put Teddy in position to run the plays that he wants to run,” Hebert explained. “It’s going to be a big challenge. We’re going to have to be able to run the ball; and the defense, as long as Drew is out, is going to have to play like a top ten defense.”
Hebert echoed the sentiments of Zach Strief, the Voice of the Saints, in how New Orleans may fare without Brees.
“The Saints could start the season at 1-3,” cautioned Hebert. “If the Saints beat Seattle without Drew, I’d consider that an upset; and Dallas has been rolling.” Hebert did have a better outlook for the other four games before the bye. “Looking at everything, though, I think the Saints could still be a 4-4 type team when Drew comes back.”
The margin of error will be slim, though; and Hebert knows it.
“Brees has to be ready to roll when he comes back; but when all’s said and done, the Saints may be able to get to double digit wins at the end of the year.”