Whether or not Drew Brees plays in a pivotal NFC South bout with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday remains to be seen after the veteran quarterback suffered a rotator cuff injury.
While Brees is vocally optimistic about his chances, his offensive linemen are vociferously apologetic for putting the 36-year-old in this situation.
"It's your biggest fear as a lineman, especially with a guy like that, is letting him down," right tackle Zach Strief said, via The Times-Picayune. "I wouldn't be telling anybody anything new or secretive if I told you it was me. I said sorry, and of course (Brees) handled it the way you'd expect."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith, who leads the NFL with four sacks, burned Strief twice on Sunday to smash Brees, including the hit that injured the quarterback.
"You're letting your guy down and your team down and it's disappointing," Strief said.
The Saints hope that the disappointing blocking doesn't keep their future Hall of Fame quarterback on the sidelines for multiple weeks as they try to climb out of a deep 0-2 hole.