New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Jameis Winston came in under center for the team to start the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Saints starter Drew Brees had a shoulder injury coming into the game, but he played the entire first half and completed eight of his 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. However, late in the second quarter, he took a big hit from 49ers defensive lineman Kentavius Street. The hit resulted in a flag for roughing the passer. Street was charged with landing with his full body weight on Brees.
Brees got up favoring his right shoulder/rib area. Still, he remained in for the rest of the half and threw a touchdown pass to running back Alvin Kamara.
Winston came in and finished out the game. Brees, meanwhile, began the second half standing on the sidelines with his helmet on, so he could still return if Winston were to struggle.
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter sent out a tweet confirming that Winston was in for the Saints.
“Drew Brees still is in uniform, on the Saints’ sideline, but he absorbed a big hit in the first half and opens the second half out of the game,” Schefter wrote on Twitter.
Winston had seen some mop-up duty during last Sunday’s blowout win over the Buccaneers. However, today he got his first meaningful time with the team since signing as a free agent this offseason.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB finished the game 6 of 10 passing for 63 yards and led the Saints to victory in the second half. They won 27-13.
New Orleans Saints Fans Lose It on Twitter
NFL fans took to Twitter quickly to make light of Winston taking over the reins to the team. One Saints fan was upset with the team choosing to go with Winston over their dual-threat quarterback Taysom Hill.
“Taysom never going to get a chance,” he says.
Taysom never going to get a chance
— Lance Rigby (@lance_rigby) November 15, 2020
One fan posted a video of Winston dancing in the locker room with his Saints teammates.
— ⚜️➕🙌🏾= ♥️ (@RipLegendSeanT) November 15, 2020
Nick Underhill covers the Saints for NewOrleans.football. He posted a funny video of Winston warming up before the game.
