The New Orleans Saints are not having the season they were expecting to have. The team has yet to notch a win on the year while Drew Brees remains out with a shoulder injury. Originally diagnosed as a bruise, Brees sat out Week 3 while Luke McCown got the start and the loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Saints are hopeful that Brees will not be out for a long-term period of time as the quarterback hopes to practice Thursday.
Brees remains day-to-day with a shoulder injury, but a positive report from physical therapists has the team hopeful he can return to the field in Week 4. According to ESPN.com, Brees visited doctors and was told that he has made a lot of improvement and could be back to throwing by Thursday which puts him in play for Week 4.
"He went back there because the (physical therapist) and the guy he's worked with there in the past, he has a high level of confidence in him," head coach Sean Payton said via WWL Radio. Really, it was the plan moving forward. He's gotten better each day. He was encouraged with his visit. It will be day-to-day throughout this week. I think more than anything he was testing the strength and then the protocol here in the next four days, what he should be doing in regards to lifting weights, what he should be doing in regards to throwing, flexibility. It's been all positive."
McCown did all he could under center. The Panthers were simply too much to overcome in the end. Regardless of who is under center in Week 4, the Saints have adjustments that need to be made in the offense, mainly in the ground game. In Week 3, four running backs acquired just 70 yards off 24 carries which is not enough to keep the offense balanced. Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson were able to account for two touchdowns, but the Saints need more. The biggest concern is CJ Spiller who the team is hoping can be more involved than the one carry he had against the Panthers.
"I got to get him more opportunities," Payton said, via The Times-Picayune. "He's healthy, and shoot, he needs more than anybody to stay actively warm as opposed to one play every 12 or 14 plays."
At this point, a 0-3 start means trying anything and everything. Spiller could be a huge different maker for the Saints. Ingram is working more in with the passing game to help with shorter throws. Brandin Cooks continues to lead the unit while Willie Snead and Marques Colston aim to get more involved as well. McCown proved that he can throw the ball when called upon, but everyone else must do their part as well.
