Oct 23, 2019 3 min read

Drew Brees pulled a football out of his locker inside the New Orleans Saints’ training headquarters and wrapped his right hand around it, splaying his surgically repaired thumb away from his forefinger.

The demonstration of how far he’s progressed in his rehabilitation since his Week 2 injury left no doubt about his intent to tell coach Sean Payton he’s ready to play this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“That’s the plan,” Brees said. “I’ll tell Sean if I’m ready — and he’ll believe me.”

Brees affirmed that he does indeed feel like himself and that he threw the ball well at practice Wednesday but added that he wants to see how he performs throughout the week in team drills to ensure his accuracy, timing and overall effectiveness meets his standards.

“I need some competition,” Brees said.

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 in Los Angeles on 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.

“Today it was good to have him out there throwing,” Payton said. “He’s done a great job with his rehab.

“He’s been medically cleared to play,” Payton added. “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 during New Orleans’ Week 2 loss to the Rams in Los Angeles.

Ryan hopeful streak continues: Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn says quarterback Matt Ryan is hopeful he’ll return from a sprained ankle to play against Seattle.

As expected, Ryan did not practice Wednesday. He also may sit out Thursday’s practice. Quinn says the team “will have a better sense” of the quarterback’s status for Sunday’s game on Friday.

“We’re hopeful that as we’re going through the week we’ll get some practice reps for him,” Quinn said. “I know he’s encouraged. This guy is pure grit, pure fight.”

Ryan, 34, limped off the field in last week’s 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He was hurt when sacked by Aaron Donald.

Ryan has not missed a start since 2009. His streak covers 154 regular-season games.

Veteran Matt Schaub would make his first start since 2015 with Baltimore if Ryan can’t play.

Gordon placed on IR: The Patriots have placed receiver Josh Gordon on injured reserve with knee and ankle injuries.

Gordon suffered the injuries during New England’s win over the Giants in Week 6 and sat out Monday night’s win over the Jets. He did not participate when the Patriots returned to the practice field on Wednesday.

Gordon’s absence will mean the Patriots will now be leaning even more on veteran Mohamed Sanu, acquired in a trade with Atlanta on Tuesday.

The Patriots traded a second-round draft pick in 2020 to the Falcons. The 30-year-old Sanu has 33 receptions for 313 yards, but only one touchdown so far this season.

Gordon was among New England’s leading receivers this season. In six games he has 20 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown.