Drew Brees Injury Update: Saints QB Will Not Play in Week 3 vs. Panthers

If the New Orleans Saints are going to get their first win of the season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, they will have to do it without quarterback Drew Brees.

Per the Saints' official Twitter account, head coach Sean Payton ruled Brees out and announced that veteran Luke McCown will be the starter against the Panthers.

There was some hope Brees would be able to line up under center for New Orleans this week despite lingering shoulder problems. He underwent an MRI on Monday, with ESPN's Ed Werder reporting (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter) there was no serious damage to his shoulder.

Per USA Today's James Varney, Brees said Wednesday he had "every intention of playing" before acknowledging he had "to be smart" about how he went about dealing with the issues in his throwing shoulder.

This will mark the first game Brees has missed since 2009, though the Saints noted on Twitter this one is different:

In 2009, Brees sat out the last game of the season after New Orleans had already locked up a playoff berth. The 36-year-old currently has a completion percentage of 62.8 with two touchdowns and two interceptions through two games in 2015.

McCown is in his third season with the Saints, though he's thrown just one pass for the team, back in 2013. He does have nine career starts under his belt, but none since 2011 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune discussed what McCown brings to the table for the Saints:

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I don't see Sean Payton altering the game plan all that much with McCown starting. Brees and McCown are similar in that they're pocket passers. So Payton will likely maintain the same plan as any other week.

McCown doesn't lack arm strength. What he does lack is quick decision-making. That will be the aspect put to the test most for McCown. He has habitually waited too long on throws in training camp and in preseason over the years.

As for being a game changer? I don't think I'd put that tag on McCown.

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The Saints have been trending down since making the playoffs in 2013, going 7-9 last season. Without Brees for a critical early-season division matchup, it's unlikely they'll escape the winless column Sunday.