Drew Brees will miss Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers with the shoulder injury he suffered last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Sean Payton announced on Friday. Though Dr. James Andrews found earlier this week that Brees had merely bruised, not torn, his rotator cuff, the quarterback apparently couldn't make it out on the field without risking more damage.
Dr. Andrews repaired the same shoulder following the 2005 season, and another surgery could have kept Brees out most of the season. Fortunately for the veteran, a bruise has a much shorter recovery time frame.
Things came down to the wire for Brees, who practiced in all three sessions this week on a limited basis with the hopes that he could return in time for Week 3. As late as Friday, it was still unclear if Brees would be ready to return and avoid missing a game -- something he did just once in his first nine seasons with the Saints.
Stepping up in place of Brees will be Luke McCown, who has attempted just one pass (an incompletion) in regular-season play since 2011.
The Saints have floundered to an 0-2 start in 2015, losing to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 and the rival Bucs in Week 2. Brees has played poorly over that span, throwing two touchdowns to two interceptions and taking six sacks.
Week 3 will be another pivotal matchup against a division rival. If the Saints have any hope of making the playoffs, they may need to start by winning Sunday.