Drew Brees' Second Opinion Reveals 11 Broken Ribs

Following a week of medical examination New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees has been diagnosed with 11 broken ribs, per Ed Werder.

"I've got the best medical team in the world... will be back in no time."  Drew Brees via Instagram.

.@drewbrees has his "top medical" team looking after him after suffering a collapsed lung and broken ribs 🥰 pic.twitter.com/ur5vMenjnG

— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2020

A day after the New Orleans Saints 27-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, an MRI and x-rays revealed multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung for Saints superstar quarterback Drew Brees. The 20-year NFL veteran exited Sunday's action at halftime. After the game, he told the media his injury “had nothing to do with pain...It was simply what my body was going to be able to do or not be able to do.”

After a week of CAT scans, MRIs, and daily doctor visits, Brees has been diagnosed with 11 broken/fractured ribs, 8 of 12 on his right side and 3 of 12 on his right per ESPN's Ed Werder. 

The Saints placed the future Hall of Fame Quarterback on Injured Reserve for the first time in his Saints career, this week, forcing him to miss at least 3 games. While there is not a timetable for his return, Brees his hopeful to return in Week 14 without any further risk of re-injury.

The literal bone-crushing hit occurred in the second quarter on a roughing the passer penalty against 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street.  Despite being in anguishing pain, Brees managed to finish the drive going 6 of 7 for 57 yards and capping it off with a 3-yard touchdown strike to running back Alvin Kamara.

Credit: WVUE, New Orleans

Following Sunday's game, head coach Sean Payton told media it was the first time in 15 years Brees would pull himself out of the game.

“He felt strong enough to let me know about it and I know when he does that, which is probably the first time in 15 years, that it was significant enough to where he felt he could not function in the second half”

In 2019, Brees missed five games with a UCL tear in his right thumb. The estimated recovery time for that injury was 6-8 weeks.  Drew returned to the lineup faster than expected.  Although he is an elite-level competitor, this is a severe injury involving multiple bones and a lung.  Many hope he will return earlier than projected, but at 41, Brees and the Saints will approach this injury with caution.   

Sean Payton has yet to reveal a starting quarterback in place of Brees, though multiple reports have tabbed Taysom Hill as the Saints' starter in Week 11 against the Falcons.

Related Articles

• Saints Place Drew Brees on Injured Reserve
• Report: Taysom Hill to Start Against Falcons
• Week 11: Saints Final Injury Report
• First Look: Falcons vs Saints

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