The New Orleans Saints expect Drew Brees to start Week 3 and the team also should have Brandin Cooks in the starting lineup when the team takes on the Panthers. The Saints have strong fantasy football options for Sunday, as Brandon Coleman could be a sleeper, while players like Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson and CJ Spiller are solid starter picks.
Brees and his status for Week 3 have been up for debate throughout the week and ESPN.com reports that Brees remains "uncertain" for the game on Sunday. Ed Werder reports that the Saints are still not sure Brees will start and that head coach Sean Payton said that Brees is "working hard" to make sure he can be on the field. Brees reportedly "still doesn't know" for sure if he will play this week after dealing with a shoulder injury against the Buccaneers in Week 2.
UPDATE: per ESPN: Drew Brees will be out for Week 3 for the Saints, according to coach Sean Payton. Luke McCown to start.
Brees has been off to a slow start this season and so have the Saints overall, as the team is 0-2 after being upset by the Buccaneers at home in Week 2. Breed had 355 yards passing against the Cardinals in Week 1, but he only had one TD and had an interception in that game. So far this season Brees has put up 610 yards passing along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Saints will turn to Luke McCown if Brees can't play in Week 3 and that is a major drop-off from the talent level of Brees at quarterback. Brees has not missed a game since back in 2009 and that is the only game he has missed since coming over to the Saints.
Brees was limited in practice on Thursday and Payton said Brees "will throw at some point" before Sunday if he will be playing against the Panthers. Cooks is also coming into the game with an injury and he has missed some practice this week, but his injury is reportedly not considered serious. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Cook said he is "very confident" that he will play in Week 3 and fantasy owners should watch the final injury reports heading into Sunday before making decisions on who to start for the Saints.
Cooks is coming into the season after missing six games last year and he has emerged as the top playmaker for the Saints at WR. This season Cooks has nine catches for 111 yards and the team is hoping he can play a full game on Sunday after dealing with his ankle issue. Cooks has great speed and can help stretch the field and if Brees is out, the team will need Cooks even more.
If Cooks is hampered at all by the ankle, Brandon Coleman could be a breakout option for Week 3. Coleman has seven catches for 74 yards this season and one touchdown and he could get a boost for the Saints along with Marques Colston. Sean Payton told ESPN that CJ Spiller could see more touches in Week 3 after dealing with a knee issue coming into Week 2. Spiller has just three rushes and one catch this season and he likely will have a bigger role moving forward, especially if Brees is out and the team pushes the running game.
Check here for more on Cooks, Brees and the Saints for Week 3.
