Drew Brees sat out the New Orleans Saints' preseason opener Thursday night in Baltimore, though the decision doesn't appear to be injury-related.
Brees hasn't missed a training camp practice, and he dressed for the game and warmed up with the team. But the Saints gave the starting nod to veteran Luke McCown, who was also introduced as a pregame captain.
It could be a matter of the Saints wanting to keep Brees fresh for the regular season. Or they might want to find enough reps for all three of their backups -- McCown and Ryan Griffin, who are battling for the No. 2 job, and third-round draft pick Garrett Grayson.
Brees, 36, played only one series in the Saints' scrimmage last week before McCown took over for the rest of the first-string snaps.
Brees has never skipped a preseason opener when healthy, but last year he missed the first two preseason games while nursing a strained oblique. He played in only one preseason game last year -- the third one -- and he completed 9 of 15 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns before being deemed ready for the season.
Among others not expected to play for the Saints on Thursday were running back C.J. Spiller, receiver Marques Colston and defensive end Akiem Hicks.