Drew Brees Out; Both McCown Brothers Starting Week 3

The New Orleans Saints have announced quarterback Drew Brees will miss this weeks game against the Carolina Panthers. Brees suffered a bruise rotator cuff after a hard hit last week. This week will mark the first time Brees has ever missed a game as the Saints starter. Brees is third behind Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers in starts by a quarterback since 2006 with 145. Manning and Rivers will be even after Philip Rivers starts this weekends game for the Chargers.

With that news, backup quarterback Luke McCown will get the start for the Saints. Ironically, McCown’s latest Verizon commercials highlight a backup waiting for his chance to shine.

Coincidentally, Luke’s brother Josh will be starting for the Cleveland Browns. While the McCown’s aren’t football royalty like the Mannings, it’s still a nice touch to both of their long careers. This week will mark the first time since week 13 of the 2007 season the brothers have started in the same week. You’re welcome for that deep research I conducted. Both brothers won their respective games that week, but haven’t gotten to see much of the playing field in their long careers.

This game will be Luke McCown’s first start since the opening of the 2011 season, when he beat the Titans as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has only started in nine regular season games, divided among the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. This will be his first start as a Saint after spending three years on the team.

He’s thrown for over 2,000 yards, nine touchdowns and 14 interceptions since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. Going up against a strong Panthers defense, he’ll surely have some challenges to overcome if the Saints wish to stay afloat in the division.

It’ll surely be a struggle in the McCown house hold on who to watch, as the Browns and Saints each play one o’clock games on Sunday.

Next: Fantasy Football: Week Three Rankings and Podcast