Saints quarterback Drew Brees: 'I feel 100 percent'

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said Wednesday that he feels "100 percent" healthy, according to ESPN.com.

Brees was recovering from a strained oblique sustained in early August. He ended up playing less than one quarter the entire preseason.

"I did what I needed to do to get healthy. I feel strong. I feel 100 percent," said Brees.

Drew Brees, Matt Ryan on this week's Sports Illustrated cover

In his lone preseason appearance, which came two weeks ago, Brees threw for 128 yards and two touchdowns in three series. After that game, he said he didn't think he was back to 100 percent yet.

Brees, who is used to entering the regular season having taken more reps than he has this year, said preparation for Week 1 is a little tough because he's so routine-oriented. But he's been approaching practice as if it were a game and said he thinks he's "tricked my mind into thinking I took the reps."

The Saints open the season at Atlanta on Sunday.

- Molly Geary