New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Saints QB Jameis Winston out for season with torn ACL, damaged MCL

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/1/21

New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Jameis Winston admitted last week he wanted to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his former team, "bad," and the Saints notched a 36-27 victory over the defending Super Bowl champions to improve to 5-2 on the season. That win was, however, costly for Winston and his current employer.

Per the NFL's website, Winston will miss the rest of the season because of the torn ACL and damage to his MCL he suffered in the first half of Sunday's win:

Here’s a screengrab from FOX broadcast showing Devin White grabbing Jameis Winston by the end of his nameplate. Here’s the rule saying that counts as a horse-collar tackle. Correct call by the official. pic.twitter.com/lgKSiPJOUK
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 1, 2021

Trevor Siemian replaced Winston and completed 16-of-29 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown against the Buccaneers. Taysom Hill would've been Winston's backup but was sidelined because of a concussion he suffered earlier in October.

Understandably, some linked future Hall of Famer Drew Brees with a potential return to the Saints with Winston out for the campaign, but the retired Brees poured cold water over that idea Sunday night.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Saints won't be pursuing free agent and 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton. The New England Patriots released Newton on Aug. 31, and he hasn't yet signed with any other club.

The Saints face the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons this coming Sunday and will have either Siemian or Hill under center for that contest.

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