Brees completed 32 of 45 pass attempts for 287 yards, with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions during Sunday's 26-9 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

It's not often that a team is able to hold New Orleans' offense out of the end zone for an entire game, but that is exactly what Atlanta's defense achieved against Brees and the Saints' attack. Excluding the Week 2 loss to the Rams in which Brees was forced to exit with a thumb injury, Sunday's performance marks just the second time since Week 5 of last season that an opponent was capable of keeping the 12-time Pro Bowler without a touchdown throw. Brees has a strong chance of getting back on track in Week 11, with the Saints taking on a 32nd-ranked Tampa Bay pass defense that surrendered 324 passing yards and three touchdowns to Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on Sunday.

Brees expects to wear a splint on his right thumb for the foreseeable future, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing five games following surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb, Brees returned to action Week 8 against the Cardinals, putting up 373 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 34-for-43 passing. He didn't suffer any residual effects or even swelling in the region following the contest, but he nonetheless will play with the splint moving forward. Brees practiced in full Wednesday, so he's set to tee off again Sunday against the Falcons' 23rd-ranked pass defense (261.1 yards per game).

Brees (thumb) completed 34 of 43 passes for 373 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the Saints' 31-9 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

As his final line implies, Brees' return was a rousing success, and despite it being his first game since Week 2, coach Sean Payton showed no hesitation in letting his star quarterback air it out early and often. Brees showed his connection with Michael Thomas was as healthy as ever by connecting with his star wideout on 11 occasions, and he managed to hook up with nine different pass catchers on the afternoon overall. According to John Hendrix of WDSU-TV, Brees wore a hard plastic splint on the thumb Sunday and doesn't expect any residual soreness Monday, given how careful he was in his rehab. Brees will look to return even healthier Week 10 against the Falcons following the Saints' bye week.

Brees (thumb) is listed as active Sunday against the Cardinals, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite a bye week on the horizon Week 9 and the Saints going 5-0 with Teddy Bridgewater under center, Brees has been given clearance to return earlier than expected. Dianna Russini of ESPN reported Brees isn't 100 percent, as a full three months is required to recover fully from surgery on a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. It's unclear if Brees will wear a splint on the appendage in question, though Russini noted he had black tape around the thumb during a pregame warmup. Brees won't have Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee) at his disposal, but the veteran signal-caller will be attempting to continue what Bridgewater maintained versus Arizona's 25th-ranked pass defense.

Brees (thumb) will start Sunday against the Cardinals, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees was a limited participant in practice all week, but a questionable designation following Friday's injury report seemed to indicate the veteran signal caller could make his first appearance since undergoing surgery to his right thumb in Week 2. Brees will face a Cardinals secondary that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the quarterback position this season, although the unit will once again have cornerback Patrick Peterson, who missed the first six games of the season due to a suspension.

Brees (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees was a limited practice participant throughout the week, sharing reps with Teddy Bridgewater. Speaking to the media after Friday's session, coach Sean Payton said the team will "probably wait until Sunday" to make a final decision, per Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Of course, it's possible the decision already has been made and the Saints just aren't revealing it. Whatever the case, a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff is good new for anyone interested in using Brees or Bridgewater in a Week 8 fantasy lineup. The 40-year-old quarterback underwent surgery Sept. 18 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Coach Sean Payton declined to name his Week 8 starting quarterback Friday afternoon, but he did mention that both Brees (thumb) and Teddy Bridgewater took practice reps, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees is on record wanting to play in Sunday's game against Arizona, but it sounds like this will be a collective decision, with the team perhaps feeling more cautious than the player. He remained limited at Friday's practice, likely setting up a 'questionable' designation for Sunday. There's no guarantee of an announcement before Sunday morning, but a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff makes things easier on fantasy managers.

Brees (thumb) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

At least based on the Saints' practice report, Brees didn't take a step forward in his activity level from Wednesday, but the signal-caller has made it clear he wants to return from a five-game absence to start Sunday against the Cardinals. Per Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Brees donned a helmet in the portion of Thursday's session that was open to the media and was able to throw, though it's unclear if he was able to do so without discomfort. Brees' ability to grip the ball securely and throw with his usual zip and accuracy are likely the main criteria he'll need to meet before the Saints sign off on his return.

Brees (thumb) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brees' presence at the session was among many positive signs in his recovery from surgery on his right thumb on Sept. 18. First, he was able to throw. Later, when speaking to the media, he said that he's not yet 100 percent, and a decision on his availability Sunday versus the Cardinals is dependent on how he handles the increased workload this week. "We're getting there," he told Jeff Duncan of The Athletic. Consequently, Brees' listing on ensuing practice reports will be monitored closely as the weekend approaches.

Brees (thumb) was present for the part of Wednesday's walkthrough open to the media, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Saints will post what is merely expected to be an estimated injury report Wednesday, but Brees' status still will be one to watch for, especially after coach Sean Payton told Triplett on Monday that "if [Brees is] healthy, you play him." Speaking to Arizona media Wednesday, Payton also relayed that Brees may be a game-time decision Sunday against the Cardinals, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. If Brees reclaims his starting gig upon getting cleared, he'll push Teddy Bridgewater back to the No. 2 role.