New Orleans Saints quarterback's status, and the rosters of fantasy football owners everywhere, reportedly hangs in the balance ahead of the Saints' showdown with NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. According to an early Friday morning report from ESPN's Ed Werder, the rotator cuff injury that has limited Brees this week and apparently kept his production to an output last week is still rankling him, enough so that his prospects for playing against the Panthers remain in doubt.
While New Orleans head coach Sean Payton called reports that Brees' shoulder injury could sideline him for a couple of weeks "inaccurate," Werder also reports that he and Brees will discuss whether or not it's in the quarterback's and the team's best interests for Brees to take the field on Sunday.
Brees has never missed a regular season game as a result of an injury during his decade in the league. But at 36, his body is likely in the early stages of breaking down and there's no denying the effects that even the smallest injuries can have on a quarterback who is closer to his 40th birthday than his 30th. You need look no further than Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning last season.
Of course, one would be hard-pressed to suggest that an injury to Brees' throwing shoulder constitutes a "small" injury, especially considering his final stat line against the Buccaneers - 255-yards, one touchdown, one interception.
It seems the final decision on Brees' status for Sunday ultimately lies with Payton, and healthy or not, it really wouldn't be surprising to see him go in a different direction.
