New Orleans Saints Update: Drew Brees Thumb Healing Well But Early Return Unlikely

Drew Brees is missing from the New Orleans Saints after suffering a thumb injury back in Week 2. The original timeline for the 40-year-old quarterback is after six-week. However, he could be back earlier than scheduled if everything goes accordingly.

Brees was around last Sunday when the Saints played the Dallas Cowboys. He was constantly flexing his surgically-repaired thumb and eventually gave an update on it to WVUE-TV.

According to Brees, he could now do things he wasn't able to before such as brush his teeth or pick up a glass of water. That may not mean much if one thinks about playing pro football but a positive development on his road to recovery.

Brees could surprise many if he returns sooner than expected. However, in a radio interview with WWL in New Orleans, the 40-year-old said that he has no plans of returning if he is not ready. Some of the things he said were shared on Twitter by The Athletic's Katherine Terrell.

The bottom line here is that Brees is not willing to risk returning earlier than scheduled. He is apparently aware that there is a risk he may aggravate the injury and not play at the level that the Saints would need him to. This means the Saints will have to continue to rely on Terry Bridgewater who is doing a great job.

The Saints' only loss was against the Los Angeles Rams, the same time when Brees suffered his injury. They have since garnered success behind Bridgewater, winning the next two games for a 3-1 mark. Next up for New Orleans are the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are coming off a big upset win over the Rams. Tampa Bay is a slight favorite over New Orleans according to odds via BegMGM. At stake is the first place in the NFC South.

Brees is likely to be around once more at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans this weekend. He was spotted at practice although he did not participate. He was spotted in a red non-contact jersey and was doing drills by himself.