METAIRIE, La. – Sean Payton said Drew Brees’ state decision for Sunday’s clash against the Kansas City bosses will be reduced to how the New Orleans Saints quarterback feels during this week’s practice.
“It’s pretty simple. It’s just functionality, strength, painless pitching,” Payton said Thursday morning after Brees was designated to return to practice Wednesday. “I mean, there’s a process and last week with the coaches had a pitching day, and yesterday the same way. So it’s really [whether Brees is] asymptomatic, feels good, strong and can work, be an asset and play well. “
When asked if the team is waiting for a new authorization from doctors, Payton said, “No, I think everyone’s follow-up. Pay attention to all of that. We’ll see how it goes this week.”
Brees has missed the last four games after suffering 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung. The Saints (10-3) went 3-1 up with Taysom Hill from the quarterback.
Payton has stressed that the Saints will not rush Brees and said Wednesday afternoon that Brees “has a way to go” in his recovery. But the signs have been positive so far and Brees described himself as “close” last Sunday night.
“I feel better every week,” Brees said in his weekly interview with Cox Sports Television after Sunday’s 24-21 defeat in Philadelphia. “Obviously, I have an established plan as to the benchmarks I need to meet to get to where I know I can play and play effectively for this team. And all I can say is that I’m close.
“There’s an element of recovery, there’s an element of strength. And I’ll know when that moment comes.”
Brees was officially appointed to return from the injured reserve on Wednesday, which meant he could resume practice and the team now has a three-week period to return him to the active roster of 53 men. It can be activated at any time during this window.
The Saints will have two games in six days over the next week, as they are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day.
Brees, 41, has a history of exceeding doctors’ scheduled schedules to recover from injuries, which he has always been proud of. However, he proved he had a limit when he let Payton know that he physically could not continue during the break of Holy Week 10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Brees suffered a punctured lung and some of his broken ribs with eight minutes left for the first half of the game, but was left to complete two touchdown pulses. Doctors believe the rest of the broken ribs occurred a week earlier.