Marc Bulger

On Sept. 27, 2009, St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger grimaced in pain as medical staff examined his shoulder on the sidelines. The diagnosis came a day later: Bulger had bruised -- but not torn -- the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.

That's the same diagnosis reportedly given to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, according to the latest of a flurry of reports that emerged Monday after Brees appeared to injure his right shoulder in Sunday's loss.

The good news for Brees and the Saints is that Bulger missed only one game. He returned to action two weeks after suffering the injury and played the rest of the season.

The story said Bulger was the only NFL quarterback who could be found in media reports over the last 15 years to have suffered what was described as a bruised rotator cuff. The story also added Brees could be back quick but these injuries often vary a lot. The reports on Brees continue to come in and all vary seriousness. Owners of Brees may want to put a backup plan in place just in case.