The New Orleans Saints were without Drew Brees on Sunday and in Week 4 the quarterback could be out again with an injury, leaving Luke McCown to start. Brandon Cooks was the best fantasy football option in Week 3 and moving forward players like Brandon Coleman, CJ Spiller, Marques Colston and Mark Ingram are starter options once Brees comes back healthy.
Brees was inactive on Sunday while dealing with a shoulder injury for the Saints and this was the first time he missed a start for an injury with the team. Brees once missed a game after the Saints clinched in 2009 and now he could be looking at another missed start if he doesn't heal up from his shoulder injury. According to Cox Sports Television, Brees said after the week 3 game against the Panthers that he "doesn't know" what his "situation" will be for Week 4.
Brees added that he is "day to day" and that the team remains in "good hands" if McCown needs to start again. According to Fox Sports, Jay Glazer reports that Brees is not dealing with any pain in his shoulder, but that he has an "inflamed rotator cuff" and that has caused some of his arm strength to decrease. Pro Football Talk reports that Brees could be back once the "inflammation goes down," but that there is no firm timetable about when he could start again.
McCown didn't have a terrible game for the Saints, putting up 310 passing yards and completing all but seven of his 38 passing attempts, but the Saints would obviously much rather have Brees active. The team comes in at 0-3 on the season and they have a major hole to dig out of. The Saints have the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 and that could see two backups going against each other if Brandon Weeden starts for Dallas and McCown is in for the Saints again.
The defense allowed 17 straight points on Sunday to the Panthers and that is one unit that the Saints really need to improve if Brees continues to miss time. According to NewOrleansSaints.com, Brees said in a radio interview after the Week 3 game that he is "very optimistic" that he will be able to play against the Cowboys. The Saints will have practice this week and Brees will likely get the chance to participate and the team will evaluate how his shoulder is doing.
Brees has been off to a slow start by his standards this season, as he has 610 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions over the first two games of the season. NFL.com reported Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Brees is a "long shot" to play against the Cowboys. The Saints likely will not try to rush Brees back even if they desperately need a win, as the team will not want Brees to have a setback that potentially could keep him out longer.
Brandin Cooks comes in after having another solid game for the Saints and he put up seven catches for 79 yards and already has 16 catches through three games. Spiller was not too active in the game on Sunday, but he should continue to get more work after returning from an injury. Cooks is the best option if Brees is out and once Brees comes back, the rest of the Saints fantasy options will increase in value.
