New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees ruled out
Saturday 26 September 2015 10:05, UK
Luke McCown will start at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers with Drew Brees ruled out by a shoulder injury.
Brees suffered a bruised rotator cuff in the Saints' defeat by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday and it will mean him missing a first game through injury since his arrival in New Orleans in 2006.
The only other game he has missed was their season finale in 2009 when he was rested with the top seed in the NFC already locked up.
"I haven't missed a game due to injury in 20 years, since my junior year of high school. I consider myself very fortunate for that," said Brees. "[That's] another reason why this decision was so tough.
"Bottom line is, Luke McCown gives us the best chance to win this week. I have to be honest with myself and do what is in the best interests of the team. I have total confidence in Luke, as does our team."
Saints coach Sean Payton hopes the injury will not sideline Brees for too long after both realised his throwing motion had been affected by the problem in practice earlier in the week.
"I think just where he's at in the rehab and the strength, I think he felt - I think we all felt - like it would be too early, him playing this weekend," Payton said.
"And I would say next week then continue the process without trying to put an estimation on his return.
"He felt like he made progress throughout the week, and yet it's still not where it needs to be or where we would feel comfortable with the strength that he needs. But he did get better each day, and we'll just see where it's at next week."
Watch the Saints take on the Panthers on Sunday - coverage starts on Sky Sports 2 HD at 5.30pm and is followed by the Buffalo Bills' trip to the Miami Dolphins.
