Report: Brees to start vs. Cardinals

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will return to action against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 after missing five games with a thumb injury, sources told ESPN's Dianna Russini and Ed Werder.

Brees was given a six-to-eight week recovery timetable after undergoing surgery for the injury he suffered in Week 2. However, the 40-year-old was confident he could return before that.

"As far as the timetable for getting back, though, they say six-to-eight weeks. I think I can beat that," Brees told WWL Radio in September.

Despite his return, the NFL's all-time leading passer said his thumb is not 100%, and that doctors say the injury will need a full three months to heal completely, according to Russini, who added that the quarterback could opt to wear a splint on his hand.

Additionally, Brees has said he needs to play this week to get himself back up to speed. The decision was made alongside the medical staff with head coach Sean Payton's blessing, Russini reported.

The NFL's highest-paid backup, Teddy Bridgewater, led the Saints to a 5-0 record in Brees' absence, most recently securing a 36-25 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 7 with All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara also sidelined.

As the primary quarterback, Bridgewater threw for 1,370 passing yards to go along with nine touchdowns and two picks while completing 67.7% of his throws for a sparkling passer rating of 100.9.

Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.