Report: Drew Brees to Start Sunday vs. Cardinals

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will start on Sunday against the Cardinals after sustaining a thumb injury earlier this season, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini and Ed Werder.

Brees has missed five games since suffering the injury in the first quarter of New Orleans' Week 2 loss to the Rams. The 40-year-old signal-caller underwent surgery on his throwing thumb to correct a ligament issue in Los Angeles in September.

The timeline for Brees to return was six-to-eight weeks after surgery.

When he spoke to reporters on Wednesday, Brees gave a simple answer on whether he was expecting to be under center for Week 8's matchup.

"That's the plan," he said. "We'll see."

In Brees's absence, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater led the Saints to five straight wins, completing 67.7% of his passes for 1,370 yards with nine touchdowns.

Kickoff between the Saints and Cardinals is set for 1 p.m. ET.