Brees likely to return Sunday against Cards

Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he plans to play Sunday against the visiting Cardinals unless his form in practice this week does not meet his expectations.

Brees said that, technically, his thumb won’t be fully healed until he’s three months out of surgery, which was performed on his ulnar collateral ligament Sept. 18. But Brees noted that a surgically inserted internal brace provides enough support for him to grip the ball firmly now, five weeks later.

“He’s been medically cleared to play,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He’s got the strength and all of those things necessary when it’s on your throwing hand — and your thumb is almost 50 percent of that. But we’ll assess it day by day . . . and we might have to wait until Sunday to see if he’s playing.”

With backup QB Teddy Bridgewater filling in, the Saints (6-1) have won all five games Brees has missed since his injury in Week 2.

Mahomes not ruled out

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was unwilling to rule out quarterback Patrick Mahomes from the game Sunday against the visiting Packers, even though it has been less than a week since the reigning league MVP dislocated his kneecap.

The initial thought was that Mahomes could miss up to six weeks, but X-rays and an MRI exam returned the best possible result. So while the Chiefs are moving ahead as if Matt Moore will play, the starting job may not be his as long as expected.

“I mean, he attacks everything. That’s how he goes about it,” Reid said of Mahomes. “I think it was important that he hear from the doctors and the trainers that he could proceed and things would be OK as he goes forward, so he’s full-steam ahead.”

This and that

Falcons coach Dan Quinn says quarterback Matt Ryan is hopeful he’ll return from a sprained ankle to play against the visiting

Seahawks on Sunday.

♦ Packers receiver Davante Adams (toe) was on the practice field for the first time but was designated as a non-participant on the injury report.

♦ Jets guard Kelechi Osemele said he is having surgery on the torn labrum in his injured right shoulder Friday despite the Jets not yet approving the procedure. The Jets believe he can hold off and play through the injury.

♦ Titans kicker Ryan Succop has been designated to return from injured reserve, allowing him to return to practice with the Titans. He cannot be added to the active roster until Monday at the earliest, meaning Cody Parkey will be their kicker for another week.

♦ The Patriots have placed receiver Josh Gordon on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries, effectively ending his stint with the team.

♦ The Cardinals signed running back Alfred Morris and fullback Zach Zenner to add depth at the banged-up running back position.