LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Washington Redskins in the first half at FedExField on November 15, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Redskins won, 47-14. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Drew Brees plans to play Sunday, in an essentially meaningless game for his 5-9 team, despite “horrible, miserable pain,” NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.

According to ESPN, Brees has a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, which affects the quarterback’s ability to push off while he throws.

A similar injury has sidelined Peyton Manning for the past five weeks.

Before this season, Brees had never missed a game for injury, according to ESPN, but he sat out Week 3 with a shoulder problem.

Via ESPN, here’s what Saints coach Sean Payton had to say about Brees’ injury:

“We’re kind of taking it day by day. I know he’s had it looked at, he’s had an MRI. I think each day we’ll gather more information and have a better idea of where he’s gonna be as it pertains to playing in this game or not.”

Maybe Brees is trying to play through his injury out of pride, but it seems like with the Saints out of the playoff picture he should sit down and let rookie Garrett Grayson, a third-round pick, get a few reps over the final two weeks. It’s not like Brees has anything to prove to anyone. Just start the offseason a bit early and get ready to bounce back next year.

The Saints close the season against the Jaguars at home and then against the Falcons in Atlanta. If he sits, I imagine Saints fans will understand although I’m not sure fantasy owners will.

 

About Alex Putterman

Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.