Brees will return to action today for Saints

A person familiar with the situation says record-setting quarterback Drew Brees will start for the New Orleans Saints against the Arizona Cardinals today, beginning his comeback from thumb surgery that sidelined him for five games.

Brees practiced this week and was listed as questionable on the Saints’ final injury report of the week on Friday.

Teddy Bridgewater has started the past five games, all victories.

Brees injured his thumb in the first half of New Orleans’ Week 2 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles when his hand jammed against the extended arm of defensive lineman Aaron Donald on the followthrough of a throw.

Surgery on Brees’ ulnar collateral ligament was performed in Los Angeles on Sept. 18 and he began throwing a regulation NFL football about two weeks ago.

Ryan out

The Atlanta Falcons say quarterback Matt Ryan won’t play against Seattle, ending his 10-year streak of consecutive starts.

Ryan sprained his right ankle last week in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He had limited participation in Friday’s practice and was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. The Falcons announced yesterday that Ryan won’t play in to’s game.

Veteran Matt Schaub will make his first start since 2015 with Baltimore.

Ryan, the 2016 MVP, has not missed a game since 2009. He has made 154 consecutive regular-season and nine postseason starts.

The Falcons signed former Patriots backup quarterback Danny Etling to the active roster, providing depth behind Schaub.

Jets waive Osemele

The New York Jets have released guard Kelechi Osemele a day after he had shoulder surgery without the team’s approval.

The move is the latest chapter in what has become a contentious standoff between Osemele and the team.

Osemele had surgery Friday in Boston to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Jets were made aware of Osemele’s plan to have surgery, but because he was not with the team and the surgery wasn’t approved, it was considered an “unexcused absence.”

Osemele was listed on the team’s injury report Friday as doubtful to play at Jacksonville and then downgraded yesterday to out. The Jets later announced they cut ties with him.

Osemele’s agent said in a statement the Jets owe him the balance of his contract. Osemele also will be looking to recoup all money lost.