Brees (shoulder) expects to return to practice Wednesday, as Tuesday's throwing session went well, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees apparently made significant progress over the last four days, after he was unable to throw the ball effectively Friday morning. He'll still need to see how his shoulder holds up with more reps, but a Wednesday return to practice would put him on track to play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Brees (shoulder) plans to test his sprained rotator cuff by throwing passes at Tuesday's practice, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees will first be evaluated in a rehab session, so it's possible he doesn't end up throwing passes. He hasn't thrown since Friday, when he was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. His status for Week 4 against the Cowboys is up in the air.

Brees (shoulder) is optimistic but uncertain about his availability for the Saints' Week 4 game against the Cowboys, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees, who missed New Orleans' Week 3 loss to Carolina, says his shoulder injury is day-to-day, but admittedly impacts his "functionality", suggesting some structural impediments exist. While Brees will surely do everything he can to prepare to play in Week 4, it's too early to tell right now what his status will ultimately be. In Brees' absence, Luke McCown did a commendable job quarterbacking the Saints' offense Sunday, and may be asked to do the same if Brees' shoulder troubles him any longer.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport indicated Sunday that he has been told that at this stage, Brees (shoulder) is "viewed as a long shot" for next Sunday's contest against the Cowboys.

EDGE Analysis

Rapoport adds that Brees' shoulder injury, which has been described as a bruise, is actually a rotator cuff sprain, an issue that infers that the QB may be dealing with some degree of structural damage. In any case, we'll track Brees' status in the coming days, but it looks like backup Luke McCown's starting stint may last longer that one game.

Brees (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game in Carolina, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to ESPN's Mike Triplett, Saints head coach Sean Payton still expects Brees to return "sooner rather than later", suggesting that the star quarterback could be available for Week 4 against the Cowboys. Luke McCown will start Sunday's road game against a tough Carolina defense as the Saints try to avoid an 0-3 start.

Brees (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice, Larry Holder of New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although he participated in some drills Thursday, it's unclear if Brees has actually commenced throwing, which is the all-important step in his quest to play Sunday at Carolina. If his bruised rotator cuff doesn't yield, though, Luke McCown is preparing to direct the Saints' offense in Week 3.

While both Brees (bruised rotator cuff) and coach Sean Payton have expressed optimism with regard to the QB's chances of playing Sunday against the Panthers, such an outcome is not a lock at this stage, ESPN.com reports. "It may be a little later in the week before we know for sure," Payton acknowledged Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Brees, who refrained from throwing any passes during Wednesday's practice, has expressed confidence that he will be able to suit up Sunday against the Panthers, but ultimately his Week 3 status won't be determined until after he throws some and is subsequently evaluated, while and after he does so.

Coach Sean Payton's optimism with regard to Brees' prospects of playing this weekend are a product of the quarterback's positive outlook on that front, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. When referring to the notion put forth Wednesday that he thought Brees -- who has a bruised rotator cuff -- would play on Sunday, Payton acknowledged, "I think it was just overall echoing his mood and the way I see his responses."

EDGE Analysis

For his part, Brees -- who didn't throw any passes and was limited during Wednesday's practice -- has expressed confidence that he will be able to give it a go Sunday against the Panthers, but Payton indicated Thursday that Brees will have to throw at some point as the week rolls along in order to play this weekend.

Brees (shoulder) intends to suit up and play Sunday at Carolina, Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees didn't throw in Wednesday's practice but took part in a couple drills, which is a small step in the direction of active status Sunday. However, he'll likely have to show some progress with his bruised rotator cuff, namely be able to make at least nominal throws, before the team's medical staff will clear him for action.

Brees (shoulder) believes there is a "reasonable possibility" he plays this week versus the Panthers, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees' status for Week 3 is very much up in the air due to his rotator cuff injury, but he is not ready to rule himself out just yet. Brees' participation, or lack thereof, in practice this week will likely be a key factor in whether or not he is able to take the field against the Panthers.