Drew Brees is now guaranteed to miss at least three games. The Saints placed the future Hall of Fame quarterback on IR on Friday, shelving him until Week 14.
Sean Payton declined to confirm reports Taysom Hill will replace Brees in New Orleans’ starting lineup instead of Jameis Winston. But that appears to be the plan, with ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini indicating the team is not planning to use Winston in any packages Sunday (Twitter link).
This is quite the bold strategy for the Saints, considering Hill has thrown 18 career passes. Winston may well see time during Brees’ absence, as he did when Brees went down in Week 10, but the former Buccaneers QB is currently set to be Hill’s backup. This certainly represents a step back for the five-year Bucs starter, who stands to be a free agent again in 2021.
As for Brees, he has sought additional opinions regarding his punctured lung and cracked ribs this week. The 41-year-old passer is believed to have fractured at least five ribs and punctured a lung. He was already confirmed to miss at least two games; the IR distinction will provide the Saints a roster spot.
Given the steep dropoff between Brees and his backups, this certainly could reshape the NFC playoff picture. Only one team receives a bye this year, thanks to the new CBA’s expanded playoff bracket, and no team has made a Super Bowl appearance without a bye since 2012. The Saints did win five games with Teddy Bridgewater starting last year, however. Over the next three weeks, the Saints have two games against the Falcons — in Weeks 11 and 13 — and one against the Broncos.
I think they are still trying to teach Winston. Payton will use him I’m sure and he will turn him into a good qb, but he probably isn’t starter-caliber yet. Another factor I think, is the paycheck. Taysom Hill makes a whole lot more, and they have already said they think he is the future Saints starter. Good luck to Taysom, and I hope my Saints can keep winning. Hopefully it turns out to be a good stretch for Taysom, because I want to see what the Saints see in him
I’m a huge Tim Tebow fan. I believe he could’ve been a starter, but man would it have been cool for him to be a taysom hill type player. I think making Hill the starter is not gonna use all of his tools in the best way. I didn’t know they were thinking of him as the future
Would be odd to see Hill as the starter. A bit confused given that it was Winston, not Hill, as last game’s second half QB.
I mean maybe that’s why? He looked nothing more than mediocre against a defense riddled with injuries.
Why a picture of Jameis Winston when the article is about Brees going on IR?