Drew Brees still intends to play when Saints host Jaguars
NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees appears determined to overcome a right foot injury in time to play against Jacksonville on Sunday.
''I have every intention of playing. I'm just finding a way to support it and that kind of thing,'' Brees said.
When pushed to qualify what ''every intention'' means, Brees asserted, ''I'm going to play.''
He still has to do is convince coach Sean Payton, who hasn't named a starting quarterback for the Saints' home finale.
''It is day by day,'' Payton said. ''He is smart enough and will understand each day the progression he is making.''
Brees, who did not practice on Thursday, said he has a torn plantar fascia ligament, which he says is painful but not necessarily too debilitating to prevent him from being effective.
The injury occurred during the second quarter of Monday night's loss against Detroit, but Brees never missed a snap, finishing with 341 yards and three touchdowns.
''It has its challenges. But we've come up with a good plan for this week, how to support it and how to make it as manageable as possible,'' Brees said. ''I'll just gauge where I'm at as I begin to move. I really haven't moved a whole lot. These past few days have just been, calm it down, and get the orthotics and different things that you need to protect it and support it.''
Brees said he's been told the injury won't require surgery and will just need rest to heal properly.
Yet, even with the Saints eliminated from playoff contention, Brees doesn't want to start resting just yet.
''I want to play for my guys - bottom line,'' Brees said.
The Saints' other QBs are Matt Flynn and rookie Garrett Grayson.
Flynn and Grayson both took snaps during practice.
It would seem Brees has nothing to prove. He is currently ranked fourth in the NFL in passing with 4,135 yards and last Monday extended his NFL record streak of 4,000-yard seasons passing to 10. He has also passed for 28 touchdowns this season.
Flynn sound eager to get a chance to play, but said he understands why Brees would push to remain on the field for the final two games of the season.
''If there's anybody in the league who has earned the right to decide himself if he wants to tough it out - you know, he's a competitor; he wants to play - he's earned that right to decide for himself,'' Flynn said of Brees. ''It doesn't matter what the situation is, what time of the year it is. Everyone wants to play. And that guy is an ultra-competitor.''
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