Tag: throwing arm

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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Dak Prescott leaves Cowboys training camp practice with arm soreness

The Cowboys signal caller stopped participating in practice Wednesday and then left the field as his teammates continued working.

It is quite understandable that amid all of the celebration surrounding Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s return there is plenty of nervousness and trepidation. The star signal caller seems all the way back from the horrific ankle injury and compound fracture that ended his 2020 season after just five starts, but by all degrees of measure has returned with a just-as-good-if-not-better leg to stand on. Still, the team took it slow during offseason work, just to make sure there was no incidental contact.

Wednesday is the first day of padded practice for the Cowboys in their now week-long training camp excursion to Oxnard, CA and Prescott was unable to complete the practice. More details should come following the ending of team work, but Prescott left the field, on his own power and jogging, due to an apparent throwing arm concern. The most recent update from Dallas Morning News’ David Moore is that he’s dealing with a muscle pull.

It appears a major injury was avoided, but with the way the Cowboys’ season collapsed without him under center, Prescott’s health in every conceivable aspect will be monitored closely and the cause of many held breaths over the next several months.

This offseason, the Cowboys front office rewarded their five-year starter with the most lucrative deal in club history, worth over $160 million across four years.

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