Saints' Drew Brees concerned thumb injury: 5 facts you need to know

Saints QB Drew Brees has been removed from the game after hitting his throwing hand on Aaron Donald's hand during a pass rush.

Here are the 7 facts you need to know about the incidents. 

1. Brees right hand hit Ram's defensive tackle Aaron Donald's hand

In the first quarter of the 27-9 loss against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon, Brees right hand hit Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald's hand at the end of an incomplete pass.

2. Brees leaves the game and Bridgewater takes over

The injury to his throwing hand forced the 40-year-old out of the field, where he had severely tied his right thumb and wrist by a member of the Saints medical staff.

This immediately resulted in Brees leaving the game and Bridgewater taking over. It is an obvious concern for the saints in the short term, as this is a major struggle for supremacy in the NFC.

However, it can be a greater concern for the longer term. Brees was spotted on the sidelines with a baseball cap on his head and his thumb/hand wrapped. 

Understandably, he did not seem enthusiastic about the situation. Brees also did not hold football or grab him to warm up.

3. Saints' Drew Brees caused him a thumb injury outside for a while

Brees explained that he would visit Steve Shin, a renowned hand injury specialist in Los Angeles.

Drew Brees, the old quarterback of New Orleans Saints, will be examined by a hand specialist in Los Angeles after an injury during an earlier game against the Rams.

"I am concerned," he said during the press conference after the game.

"I'm hoping it's not too significant."

The signal giver of the saints underwent x-rays on Sunday evening but admitted that this had not shed light on the extent of his injury.

"It's all up in the air right now," he continued.

"I really don't know at this point. There's only so much you can do here other than have a doctor look at it on the sidelines."

Saints coach Sean Payton acknowledged that Brees was in pain and hinted that the team knew more about the injury within two days.

4. Brees sustained an earlier injury and was back

Brees' lifespan has been helped by a remarkable injury record, which means he has only missed one game since high school. In week 3 of the 2015 season, he was excluded from a road race against the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury.

A decade earlier, while playing for the San Diego Chargers. Brees sustained a shoulder injury in the last game of the season but was back in the middle of week 1 of the 2006 campaign.

5. A close-up of the hand wearing Brees

After the game, ESPN reporter Josina Anderson tweeted a close-up of Brees' hand with what former NFL team physician David J. Chao identified as a stabilizing brace.

Chao added the brace, suggesting that Brees may have suffered tears.

6. Minor sprains can heal within a few weeks.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, small sprains can heal within a few weeks. However, more severe sprains can last up to six and 12 weeks if ligaments are involved.

7. If Brees cannot grasp football properly, the saints cannot simply roll it out week by week.

With the injury to his throwing hand and near the exact point where he would hold and grab the football, it can be more than just pain relief. If Brees cannot grasp football properly, the saints cannot simply roll it out week by week. This can certainly linger.