The first and so far only time QB Drew Brees has missed a start in his nine-plus seasons with the Saints, Panthers wideout Dwayne Jarrett scored the only touchdown of his career.

If you’ve forgotten about that game, it’s understandable. The Panthers wrapped up an 8-8 year in that 2009 season finale. Meanwhile, the Saints rested Brees and the bulk of their starters ahead of what became a Super Bowl-winning playoff run.

This week, Brees is in danger of missing his second start since he’s been with the Saints, but this would be his first due to an injury. After suffering a bruised rotator cuff in Week 2, there’s no guarantee he’ll be on the field Sunday against the Panthers.

Quotes to Note from Wednesday

Saints QB Drew Brees, to New Orleans media:

“I have every intention of playing, but I do have to take it day to day, and I have to be smart with this. So that’s what I’m doing.”

Saints coach Sean Payton, on conference call with Carolina media:

“If I start jumping into hypotheticals then all of a sudden I am reading about where I think [backup quarterback Luke McCown] is playing or what not. I think our thought, Drew and the training staff all think there is a really good chance he is playing for us.”

Panthers coach Ron Rivera, on preparing to face Brees and the other Saints’ QBs:

“He is tough, we know that. He’s a heck of a football player. He’s a tough-minded young man … If there’s a way for him to play, he’s going to play. We’re going to prepare as if everything’s status quo. We’re going to prepare for what they do and for the most part, we prepare for him and if we get the other guy, so be it. But we’ll have prepared for their best shot, that’s for sure.”

Panthers S Roman Harper, who played eight seasons with Brees:

“I expect him to play … I don’t ever recall Drew ever missing a game. I think he came close once when he messed his knee up, but he just put a knee sleeve on and kept going all week. So I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Panthers DT Kawann Short — who like Brees, went to Purdue — on Brees never missing a game due to injury since he’s been with the Saints:

“That’s because he’s from Purdue (laughs) … But yeah, that’s unbelievable.”

Panthers QB Cam Newton, on Brees’ durability:

“It’s extremely impressive. Knowing that you are the prize jewel pretty much on every team. You knock a quarterback out, the chances of that team winning is lowered … For a person to be going strong that many years is pretty impressive. Knowing that a person that touches the golden nugget every single play now, you know, defenders are keying in to take away every single play.”