Report: Drew Brees a ‘long shot’ to play Week 4

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and he may be looking at more than just a one-week absence.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Brees is rehabbing hard but should be considered a “long shot” to suit up in Week 4 when the Saints take on the Dallas Cowboys. While Brees’ injury has been labeled a rotator cuff bruise, Rapoport has been told it is actually a rotator cuff sprain and involves some structural damage.

You can see the play where Brees injured his shoulder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers here.

The concern with Brees is that he had major surgery to repair his throwing shoulder back in 2006. While he has missed just one game since, the history itself raises some red flags. Plus, Brees is 36. You have to wonder if he can still heal as quickly as he could almost 10 years ago.