Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints quarterback set to start vs Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday
Washington Football Team rule out Alex Smith starting at quarterback for Sunday's game against Seattle Seahawks; second-year QB Dwayne Haskins will play
Saturday 19 December 2020 11:19, UK
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will start on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, multiple outlets reported Friday.
Brees missed the past four games while recovering from 11 broken ribs and a lung injury suffered on November 15 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Saints (10-3) have gone 3-1 under backup Taysom Hill in the weeks since.
Jameis Winston is now expected to back-up Brees, with Hill returning to his jack-of-all-trades role.
The Saints activated Brees off injured reserve on Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for the team to return him to the active roster.
NFL Network reported on Friday that the 41-year-old Brees has practised with the first team this week without setbacks.
Earlier this week, Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters he would not rush Brees back to action.
"We haven't ruled anything just because we don't have to," Payton said Wednesday. "He's got a ways to go still, and he's someone we're not gonna just hurry back and just put him in the game. I think the significance of the injuries are such that you've gotta make sure he can function and feel confident."
The Saints are vying with the Green Bay Packers for the No 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Packers currently hold the top spot, and every game from here on out is crucial for New Orleans.
The Chiefs (12-1) could clinch the No 1 seed in the AFC in Week 15 with a win, a loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a loss or tie by the Buffalo Bills.
Washington rule out Smith; Haskins to start
Dwayne Haskins is back at quarterback for the Washington Football Team for their game against the Seattle Seahawks after starter Alex Smith was ruled out due to the calf injury he sustained in Week 14.
The veteran QB missed practice this week after exiting late in the first half of the victory over the 49ers.
Despite the team being hopeful Smith could return without missing time, the prospect looked dim as the QB missed practices each day.
The news puts Haskins back as the starter. The second-year quarterback was sent to the bench by coach Ron Rivera after Week Four in favor of Kyle Allen. After a season-ending injury to Allen, Smith then took the reins.
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