Report: Drew Brees To Start Sunday vs. Cardinals After Rehabbing Thumb Injury

Drew is back.

According to reports from ESPN's Dianna Russini and Ed Werder, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will make his return from a thumb injury that required surgery in mid-September for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

His "plan" was to start against Arizona as early as this past Wednesday when reporters asked if he would be returning this week. Even though Drew has said the thumb won't likely be back at full strength until December, he wanted to play as soon as possible as long as his injury wasn't "leading to mistakes."

I mean listen, it's not fully healed I think until three months. But that internal brace obviously provides some stability and support, as does the splint.

Drew has also mentioned that he isn't above returning to the sideline if things don't shake out the way he expects them to go.

If I felt like, you know, hey, the ball is not coming out the way it needs to, right? Not as comfortable, not as confident, not as accurate. Those things will be factored.

Teddy Bridgewater has been magnificent in Brees' absence, winning the hearts of Saints fans while winning every game he has started since stepping in for the future Hall of Famer. Teddy has put up Brees-like numbers, completing nearly 70% of his passes while throwing for almost 1500 yards and nine touchdowns in six games.

For what it's worth, Drew may be a little rusty at first but if his performance before getting hurt is any indicator the Saints will be in the hands of a quarterback who was primed for another huge statistical year.

The Saints are currently 6-1 and very much in the championship conversation and those conversations should only get better with Brees back under center.

Is it too soon? I guess we won't know until Sunday, but at least we know we've got a solid backup plan in any event.