Saints QB Drew Brees Will Be Game-Time Decision vs. Cardinals

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees returned to practice earlier today, and told reporters later in a press conference with local media that he will be listed as a "game-time decision" when the Black and Gold hosts the visiting Arizona Cardinals this coming Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

When asked by reporters if he planned on playing against the Cardinals, Brees said that it was indeed his desire to do so, but the final decision will ultimately rest with head coach Sean Payton on Game Day.

When Drew Brees was asked if he’s playing this week, he said, “That’s the plan.” But he still said he needs to make sure he feels like himself all week. And he said if he tells Sean Payton he’s ready, he thinks Payton will believe him. Brees threw Wednesday and felt good so far.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 23, 2019

Brees threw the ball at practice and seemingly showed no ill effects from the surgery that he had several weeks ago for a torn thumb ligament on his throwing hand, that he suffered originally during a Week 2 loss at Los Angeles against the NFC rival Rams.

Brees even went so far as to demonstrate his capability to grip an NFL regulation football in front of the gathered throng of reporters. and said that he actually has been throwing one for the past two weeks.

Brees has been throwing an NFL size ball for about two weeks
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 23, 2019

The 19th year veteran added that he had resorted to raiding his children's toy chest at home, and threw their smaller footballs including the classic "Nerf" football that many adults grew up with themselves, that his three sons play with outside in their yard.

Brees said he raided his kids toys and smaller footballs etc when he wasn’t able to throw an NFL ball
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 23, 2019

However, the final decision on his playing status will be made by Payton, who indicated that he would allow the 40-year old signal-caller to play if he could show that he was ready for action.

With New Orleans on their Bye Week following Sunday's game against the Cardinals, speculation has been that Payton will start back-up QB Teddy Bridgewater one final time. Bridgewater has gone undefeated (5-0) in Brees' absence since the injury.