HEADLINE

Payton not naming Saints’ starting QB

Field Level Media

September 18, 2019 at 5:10 pm.

Saints head coach Sean Payton is not tipping his hand at quarterback, refusing to name backup Teddy Bridgewater as the starter Sunday when New Orleans visits the Seattle Seahawks.

Before the team’s first practice of the week at the University of Washington, Payton said the team is considering options before taking on the 2-0 Seahawks without Drew Brees. Brees is out at least six weeks with a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Bridgewater entered last week’s loss at Los Angeles and played the second half as the Rams pulled away. With back-to-back West Coast games, the Saints flew north to Seattle on Sunday rather than returning to New Orleans.

Asked whether third quarterback and do-it-all offensive dynamo Taysom Hill would be limited in his other roles since he’ll be elevated behind Bridgewater, Payton scoffed: “You’re assuming he’s the No. 2.”

“We’ll approach this game with two quarterbacks,” Payton said. “We’ll have the right plan relative to what those guys are going to be doing.”

The Seahawks gave up big numbers to Andy Dalton in Week 1 at home and survived a late rally by the Steelers to win last week, 28-26.

The Saints scored only nine points at Los Angeles.

Bridgewater completed 56.7 percent of his passes and averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. He was 17 of 30 for 165 yards.

Hill has not attempted a pass this season. He has three receptions and a touchdown. Last season he was 3 of 7 passing for 64 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry (37 attempts, 196 yards).