Coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday that he plans for Brees (ribs) to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

EDGE Analysis

Payton sounded far less optimistic earlier this week, saying Wednesday that the 41-year-old quarterback had a "a ways to go" before he could be activated from injured reserve. Since he's still on IR, Brees won't be listed on the Saints' weekly injury report, but his return to the starting lineup will essentially be locked in once New Orleans activates him later Friday or Saturday.

Brees (ribs) is expected to be activated off injured reserve to start Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, and he's apparently thrown well enough at practice to convince the Saints he's ready to go this weekend. Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday the veteran still had "a ways to go" before being activated, but barring a setback during Friday's session, Brees looks poised to take the reins of the offense back from Taysom Hill, who started the past four games.

The Saints have designated Brees (ribs) to return from injured reserve, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

EDGE Analysis

During Monday's throwing session, Brees experienced pain and didn't have his full range of motion. Slated for another such session Wednesday, he must have done well enough for the Saints to open his 21-day window to practice with the aim to be activated from IR. While there's a chance the Saints will make such a move as early as this weekend, coach Sean Payton pumped the brakes on those thoughts. "We haven't ruled anything just because we don't have to," Payton told Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. "He's got a ways to go still and he's someone we're not gonna just hurry back and just put him in the game." If Brees is unable to go Sunday against the Chiefs, Taysom Hill again will be under center for the Saints.

Brees (ribs) is expected to throw a football early Wednesday before the Saints determine whether he's fit to join the team for practice later in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Saints initially targeted the Week 15 matchup with the Chiefs for Brees' return from the lineup after the quarterback suffered a punctured lung and 11 rib fractures in a Nov. 15 game against the 49ers, but to this point, the 41-year-old hasn't progressed as quickly in his recovery as hoped. According to Rapoport, Brees experienced pain and lacked full range of motion during his most recent throwing session Monday, so he'll likely need to show improvement in both areas Wednesday before his integration into practice is seriously considered. If Brees isn't designated to return from injured reserve later Wednesday, it would be a strong early sign that the Saints aren't counting on him playing this weekend versus Kansas City, which would clear the way for Taysom Hill to make a fifth straight start.

There's still no timetable for the return to action of Brees (ribs/lung), Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, the Saints aren't in a rush to put Brees -- who's bouncing back from 11 fractured ribs and a punctured lung -- back on the field and into their starting lineup. In his continued absence, Taysom Hill will handle the team's QB duties Sunday against the Eagles and quite possibly next weekend against Kansas City.

Brees (ribs) is expected to remain sidelined in Week 14 while Taysom Hill picks up another start, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Brees continues to rehab his injury, Hill has taken the reins and led the Saints to a 3-0 record in that span, making a good case for the organization to consider him as the future franchise quarterback. If this is truly the sentiment among the New Orleans brass, it wouldn't be too shocking to see Brees sidelined even further, especially if Hill can improve to 4-0 in Week 14. Even if Hill had underperformed, it's seemingly unlikely that Brees would be ready physically for a Week 14 return. Though the Saints aren't required to submit an official practice report for an IR player like Brees, it was reported Wednesday that his participation was limited, at best. While a return Week 15 against Kansas City looks like a possibility, it's far from a certainty.

Brees (ribs/lung) isn't expected to practice "much, if at all" Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rapoport notes that Brees continues to progress well from a punctured lung and 11 fractured ribs, but the signal-caller isn't quite ready to ramp up his activities just yet. Though Brees is eligible to come off injured reserve this week after missing the Saints' previous three games, it's unclear if the Saints will designate him to return, a transaction that would allow the veteran quarterback to practice with the team. At this stage, the Saints' Week 15 game against Kansas City looks to be more realistic for Brees' return to the lineup, so Taysom Hill is tentatively in line to make a fourth straight start Sunday against the Eagles.

Brees (ribs) has progressed quicker than expected and could be ready to return from injured reserve ahead of the Saints' Week 14 game in Philadelphia on Dec. 13, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees will miss his third straight game Sunday in Atlanta after suffering 11 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung in a Nov. 15 win over the 49ers, but he took a step forward this week, when he was spotted throwing on the side during practice. The Saints will have to designate Brees to return from IR before he's eligible to take part in practices with the main group, but he appears poised to get on the field in some capacity when the team resumes working out Wednesday. Assuming that's the case, the Saints will likely assess Brees' condition over their three Week 14 practice sessions before deciding whether he's fit to start against Philadelphia, or if Taysom Hill will be under center for another contest.

Brees, who's dealing with 11 confirmed rib fractures as well as a punctured lung and a shoulder issue, is facing a "realistic return date" of Week 15, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, the Saints' goal is to give the quarterback enough time to fully heal up from all of his injuries, and a Week 15 return would still allow Brees to get in a couple of tune-up outings before a potential playoff run. However long Brees is out, Taysom Hill -- who is expected to start Sunday against the Falcons -- and Jameis Winston will handle the team's quarterback duties.

Brees underwent X-rays and CAT scans this week that revealed 11 confirmed rib fractures, Ed Werder of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 41-year-old's initial diagnosis at the start of the week showed five fractures and a collapsed lung, but the damage to his ribcage is apparently more extensive than initially reported. Per Werder, he's still progressing well in his recovery, especially in regard to lung function. Brees was placed on injured reserve and will be sidelined for at least the next three games, though Werder also reports the veteran quarterback expects to return when first eligible Week 14. Taysom Hill is starting under center for the Saints against the Falcons on Sunday.