Saints’ Brees to return; top WR sidelined

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees “looked good” in his first practices since returning from rib fractures and a punctured lung and is set to start Sunday against Kansas City, coach Sean Payton said.

Taysom Hill started in Brees’ place, going 3-1. Payton said Brees, 41, will wear a protective vest over his torso.

The Saints (10-3) enter Week 15 tied atop the NFC with Green Bay, but the Packers would own the tie-breaker for the No. 1 playoff seed — and the conference’s lone bye — by virtue of a Week 3 victory at New Orleans.

Michael Thomas (ankle), the Saints’ top wide receiver, was ruled out for Sunday.

■ Washington: Quarterback Alex Smith (calf ) was ruled out for Sunday, and Dwayne Haskins will start in his place, coach Ron Rivera said. Haskins last started in Week 4. Running back Antonio Gibson (toe), listed as doubtful, will miss a second straight game, Rivera said.

■ 49ers: The team will finish the regular season practicing and playing home games in Arizona after a ban on contact sports in their home county was extended into January. Also, running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) was removed from the injury report.

■ Jaguars: The team could be without both starting cornerbacks Sunday. Sidney Jones (Achilles) was ruled out, and coach Doug Marrone said he is unsure if Tre Herndon will be cleared in time after being placed on the reserve/covid-19 list Wednesday.

■ Dolphins: Wide receivers Devante Parker (hamstring) and Jakeem Grant (hamstring) and tight end Mike Gesicki (shoulder) — the team’s top three pass-catchers — practiced on a limited basis and are questionable for Sunday.

■ Television: Nbcuniversal pulled lead play-by-play announcer Al Michaels off “Sunday Night Football” for Week 15 because of COVID-19 safety protocols. The 76-year-old said he has “no symptoms” of the virus.

■ Giants: Quarterback Daniel Jones (hamstring, ankle) practiced in a limited capacity, tight end Evan Engram (calf ) was added to the injury report, and both are questionable for Sunday.

■ Ravens: Wide receivers Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin and James Proche are expected to be activated from the reserve/covid-19 list in time to play Sunday, coach Jim Harbaugh said.

■ Texans: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (neck) was removed from the injury report, and running back Duke Johnson (ankle) did not practice and is questionable for Sunday.

■ Cowboys: Running back Ezekiel Elliott (calf ) has yet to practice this week and is questionable for Sunday, but coach Mike Mccarthy said he will play.

■ Broncos: The team canceled its walkthrough after strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow tested positive for COVID-19.

■ Lions: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (ribs) is questionable and center Frank Ragnow (throat) out for Sunday.

■ Vikings: Linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf ) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) were ruled out for Sunday.

■ Falcons: Wide receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) was ruled out for a fifth game this season.

■ Jets: Kicker Sam Ficken (groin), sidelined since Week 11, was activated from injured reserve.