Tag: shoulder

NFL wear and tear has Drew Brees throwing left-handed in retirement

After 20 seasons in the NFL, a torn labrum and a dislocated shoulder, Saints legend Drew Brees only throws left-handed in retirement:

New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees had a tumultuous early career in the NFL, specifically at the end of his tenure with the then-San Diego Chargers, when he tore his labrum and dislocated his shoulder in his throwing arm.

This was ultimately what led to him becoming a free agent and being available for the Saints, however, it was also what slowed him down later in his career. Brees spoke with the media during a press conference for his Saints Hall of Fame selection, admitting that he would have played another three years in the NFL.

Injury on top of the general wear and tear of a 20-year pro career has led Brees to throw left-handed in retirement when playing catch with his kids. He boasted that he can now throw up to 30 yards left-handed, so it isn’t like he feels hobbled when tossing a ball around the backyard. While it is unfortunate to know that his career did come to a halt because of that injury among others, as well as him having to throw left-handed, it is good to see him enjoying his retirement with his family.

After doctors initially warned that Brees may never throw a football again, way back when he initially injured it during his last game with the Chargers, the knowledge that he was able to play many more years and become as successful as he was during that time makes it all the more impressive. Here’s to a retirement with more time for his family and much more recognition for his achievements on the field.

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Drew Brees says consideration of 2021 comeback was ‘very’ serious

Drew Brees says he was ‘very’ serious about the possibility of a 2021 comeback, but his deteriorated throwing arm forced his hand:

Two decades in the NFL takes a toll. If Drew Brees had his way, he would have continued playing quarterback for the New Orleans Saints for three more years after his final season ended back in 2020. Brees reflected on his career Thursday when the Saints announced that he had been selected for the team’s Hall of Fame.

Injuries deteriorated Brees’ throwing arm so badly that he doesn’t use it when playing catch with his kids in retirement, instead throwing left-handed. Had his arm held up he would have kept playing until he was 44 years old. He even considered a comeback in 2021.

“Very,” Brees responded when asked how seriously he contemplated returning for another season. “I’ll leave it at that.”

The Saints have missed him. Even when wear and tear limited him at the end of his career, Brees led the Saints to a 9-3 record as their starter in 2020, a season they finished at 12-4. In the three years he’s been gone they’ve finished 9-8 (with Sean Payton at head coach), 7-10 and 9-8 again (after promoting Dennis Allen). No combination of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton, Ian Book, Derek Carr, or Jake Haener has found the same success. There’s no replacing a Hall of Fame quarterback, but all the Saints can do now is be grateful for the time they had with him.

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Drew Brees says he doesn’t throw with his right arm anymore

A Hall of Fame career took a toll on Drew Brees, who says he can’t throw with his right arm anymore:

Legendary former New Orleans Saints quarterback Brees made a recent appearance on ESPN Radio with Mike Greenberg, who asked the future Hall of Famer if he had heard from any NFL teams hoping to bring him out of retirement.

There was some chatter in the year after he hung up his cleats, Brees confided, but dropping back to pass like he used to is out of the question. The long-term impact of injuries in his playing career have made that impossible.

“I don’t throw with my right arm anymore, my right arm does not work,” Brees said. “When I throw in the backyard I throw left handed. I can play pickleball just because it’s below the waist. But anything above my shoulders I’ve got a hard time with. It’s probably, it’s definitely a result of the injury that I suffered when I left San Diego. The dislocated right shoulder, and all that stuff, that I thought I may never play again. But that put me on the fast track to degenerative shoulder, all kinds of arthritic changes, stuff like that.”

Brees added, “I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. If I could, absolutely I’d still be playing.”

That explains a lot. The Saints offense was a shadow of its former self in the final years of Brees’ playing career, condensing everything down tight to the formation and relying on quick and accurate passes to wear down opposing defenses. He wasn’t able to air it out like he used to and attack teams vertically. The heart may have been willing, but the body wasn’t able to keep going.

Years ago, way back in 2005, Brees dislocated his throwing shoulder and tore the cartilage in the joint when trying to recover a fumbled ball. The injury ended his Chargers career and threatened his future in pro football. During surgery, doctors found that Brees had suffered a partial rotator cuff tear, and the procedure suddenly became even more complicated (you can read more about it here).

That Brees was able to not just regain function in his shoulder but use it to throw his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday is remarkable. It’s just a shame the wear and tear eventually took him out of the game before he could win another Super Bowl title.

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Dennis Allen shares update on Derek Carr’s injured throwing shoulder

After not throwing in practice until Friday last week, Derek Carr is already throwing this week. Dennis Allen shared a welcomed update on Wednesday | @southexclusives

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr didn’t suffer a setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. In fact, his shoulder seems to be improving. Carr “threw a little bit more today” according to head coach Dennis Allen, during the Saints’ media availability session after practice Wednesday.

That’s a welcome development. This comes after Carr didn’t throw until Friday before last week’s game with the Buccaneers on Sunday. Carr’s shoulder injury was about pain management, so this would suggest the pain is subsiding.

Though this isn’t surprising, it is still good news. Carr took a risk playing on Sunday, and his shoulder held up well. As of Wednesday, Allen said, “things look good in terms of where he’s at heading into this week.” Carr was officially listed as limited on the first injury report.

As expected after not missing last week’s matchup, Carr should play this Sunday versus the New England Patriots. His arm should also be in better condition. He needs to perform at a much higher level after his offense was limited to just nine points in last week’s loss.

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Reports: Saints expected to start QB Derek Carr vs. Buccaneers

Multiple reports say the Saints are expected to start Derek Carr against the Buccaneers. He’ll test his injured shoulder pregame:

Here we go: multiple reports indicate the New Orleans Saints expect to start Derek Carr at quarterback in Week 4’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan.

Carr will test his injured throwing shoulder during pregame warmups but he’s taken all of the first-team snaps in practice on Friday and Saturday, so he’s obviously preparing with the expectation that he’ll be leading the offense into Sunday’s game.

So look for No. 4 to be in the huddle this afternoon, unless he experiences a last-minute setback. Carr suffered an AC joint sprain midway through last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers which has been characterized as a pain-tolerance injury rather than a mechanically-challenging concern. If he can gut out the pain and play at a high level, the Saints should have a good shot at putting away this game with a divisional opponent. Stay tuned.

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Report: Derek Carr suffered AC joint sprain, return to be determined

Report: Saints QB Derek Carr suffered AC joint sprain, return to be determined

This is a relief. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints believe starting quarterback Derek Carr sprained his right AC joint in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, which would be a significantly less-severe injury than previously feared.

So how long would it keep him out of action? Rapoport adds that his return “will be determined by the swelling and how he gains mobility” so we’re looking at a matter of weeks, not months, here. The Johns Hopkins University and Hospital says that healing can take two to four weeks, depending on the severity, and if this is a low-grade injury Carr could regain enough functionality in his shoulder to return even sooner. He’s known for returning quickly from injuries.

But the Saints shouldn’t rush him back from an injured throwing shoulder. It’s a long season, and they worked to retain Jameis Winston this spring for a reason. Hopefully he and Taysom Hill can do enough to win a game or two while Carr heals up. We’ll have to wait and see for more-convincing word on his timeline, but everything coming out right now has been leaning towards the positive.

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Saints say Derek Carr will not return vs. Packers due to shoulder injury

Saints say Derek Carr will not return vs. Packers due to shoulder injury

The New Orleans Saints downgraded Derek Carr, saying he will not return in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers due to a shoulder injury. Jameis Winston stepped in under center to defend the team’s 17-0 lead at Lambeau Field.

Carr was injured on a play where the protection held up, keeping him clean to stay in the pocket and survey the field — but he held onto the ball too long and was hit hard by a Packers defender. Carr was slammed to the turf on his throwing shoulder and was slow to leave the field.

The good news is that Carr was initially questionable to return, not immediately ruled out. That decision to keep him out of the game happened after he underwent further evaluation in the locker room. Hopefully the Saints are practicing an abundance of caution with their starting quarterback while holding a big lead.

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NFL MVP front-runner, Jalen Hurts, suffers shoulder injury

Jalen Hurts may miss time after shoulder injury suffered against the Chicago Bears

The Philadelphia Eagles have been the best team in the NFL this year and have started with an incredible 13-1 record. The Eagles are likely headed to the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag] is the odds-on favorite to win the NFL MVP currently.

However, it, unfortunately, sounds like Hurts may miss some time after an injury he sustained to his shoulder in the Eagles’ win against the Chicago Bears. Hurts is also the leading vote receiver for quarterbacks in the NFC so his loss would be tough for Philadelphia. Fortunately, the injury won’t be serious or long-term, and the Eagles aren’t going to rush him back until he’s ready for the playoffs.

The acquisition of A.J. Brown has been massive for the Eagles as well as DeVonta Smith’s emergence as a young star in this league. All of Alabama will be cheering for the Eagles to make a late run into February.

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Seahawks QB Geno Smith on the mend after battling illness

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith is recovering from the cold he was fighting in Week 13 when he faced off against the Rams in Los Angeles.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday due to a shoulder injury but still made his weekly appearance at the podium to speak to the media.

Smith discussed his status last from Sunday when he faced off against the Rams while battling an illness he confirmed was “a little bit of a cold.”

“I’m feeling a little better, obviously, my voice isn’t there yet,” Smith told reporters. “I’m a still a little stuffy. When you get your adrenaline going and you are in the middle of the game, you rarely think about anything else, any illnesses, or any type of injuries, and things like that.”

Whether it’s some sort of virus or physical injury, by this point in the NFL season, many players are battling something each week.

“Everyone is playing out there a little nicked up and for me, which was a little bit of a cold, but I was able to fight through it,” Smith explained. “It’s good to be able to do that, but I’m trying to get back healthy and get all the way back to 100%.”

The Seahawks final injury report of the week indicating the game-day designations will be released later Friday afternoon following the team’s walkthrough.

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Seahawks safety Ryan Neal has chance to return in time to face Rams

Despite sustaining elbow and shoulder injuries, Seattle Seahawks safety Ryan Neal has a chance to return in time to face the Rams Week 13.

Seattle Seahawks safety Ryan Neal sustained the team’s only injury Sunday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving the matchup early in overtime.

Coach Pete Carroll was able to provide an update on Neal’s status during his press conference on Monday.

“He’s a little banged up. His elbow is the lead concern, but he did bang his shoulder as well, so we will be taking care of both,” Carroll told reporters. “His elbow is of more concern. They think he’s going to be okay, he might miss a couple of days here, but I think he will have a chance to play this weekend. That’s really good news for what it looked like.

“We were concerned that it might be more than that.”

The Seahawks will need to keep an eye on the safety throughout the week as he recovers from his injuries but hopefully Neal won’t have to miss much time.

Seattle players have an off day Tuesday before returning to practice to prepare to face the Rams on the road in Week 13.

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