Report: Drew Brees dealing with major injury

The New Orleans Saints have expressed optimism throughout the week that Drew Brees will be able to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. At least one reporter believes the team is not exactly being transparent.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, one of the best football reporters in the business, was the one who reported earlier this week that Brees could miss several weeks because of his shoulder injury. Rapoport stood by his report on Thursday, calling the shoulder issue a serious injury.

.@RapSheet on Drew Brees: I still stand by that report that it's a major injury. He is in pain & I would be surprised if he played. #Saints

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) September 24, 2015

Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters on Thursday that there is a good chance Brees will play against Carolina. For his part, Brees has stated he has “every intention” of suiting up.

You can see the video of the hit Brees took last weekend here.

So who is lying? Perhaps no one. Brees is a very tough player. He has appeared in all but one game since he joined the Saints in 2006. It’s possible he could be dealing with a serious injury that he intends to play through, but it will depend on how effective he can be throwing the ball.