Drew Brees Pushing Hard to Return Week 8 But Saints Cautiously Aiming for Post-Bye
By Michael Luciano
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees hasn't been able to suit up since Week 2, when he left a game against the Los Angeles Rams after his throwing hand collided with the helmet of a blitzing Aaron Donald.
While Teddy Bridgewater has done an exceptional job filling in for Brees, the future Hall of Famer is still trying to work his way back under center. While Brees is trying to return for a Week 8 matchup against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals, the team wants him to use the bye week to get healthy before returning against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.
On Drew Brees: I've heard he's pushing to get back before week 9 bye, but #Saints want to be cautious, especially given Teddy Bridgewater's performance. Team seems to be eyeing week 10 return, but Brees has apparently been living in the training room in hopes of targeting week 8.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 9, 2019
Without Brees in the lineup, the Bridgewater-led Saints have gone 3-0. Last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bridgewater had his best game as a pro, throwing for 314 yards and tossing four touchdown passes. Bridgewater became the first non-Brees New Orleans quarterback to throw four touchdown since Aaron Brooks in 2003.
Teddy Throwsevelt! ?
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2019
Teddy Bridgewater is the first Saints QB not named Drew Brees with 4 pass TD in a game since 2003. pic.twitter.com/GusMY32cKK
Brees is certainly not the type of quarterback that will end up being Wally Pipp'd by Bridgewater, but New Orleans has the luxury of being able to let him get back to 110 percent while Bridgewater handles QB1 duties in the interim.