NFL notes: New Orleans Saints expect Drew Brees to start

Drew Brees is expected to return as starter for New Orleans against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in the Superdome, Saints coach Sean Payton said Friday.

“We’re planning on starting him, based on the work week,” Payton said after practice. “He’s thrown well. I thought he looked sharp today.”

Brees missed the Saints’ 27-22 loss in Carolina last Sunday because of a bruised rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder. The injury occurred on a hit in the second quarter of New Orleans’ Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay. Brees never took himself out of that game, but he did not appear to perform at his normally high standard, finishing 24 of 38 for 255 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Brees did not throw during practice in Week 3 but started taking first-team snaps at practice again this week, saying on Wednesday that he planned to steadily expand the variety of throws he attempted as the week wore on.

“He looks good. He’s been throwing it good and having good zip on it,” said Saints running back Mark Ingram, a regular passing target out of the backfield in New Orleans’ offensive scheme. “He must be feeling good.

“It just says a lot about his character, his overcoming adversity. He was always very uplifting, very encouraging and confident even when he wasn’t playing. … He was supporting, encouraging us. He’s always had his head held up high. You can’t tell the difference in him, so that’s good.”

Brees had said during his weekly media session on Wednesday that felt good about his chances for playing against Dallas, but would need to see how his shoulder responded to his resumption of throwing at practice.

Brees is officially listed as probably on the injury report. If Brees does start as planned, he’ll return to a club that is 0-3 and in desperate need of a victory.

Around the league

San Francisco 49ers TE Vernon Davis is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Davis left last week’s 47-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a right knee injury and did not return. Despite being listed as doubtful, Davis didn’t rule himself out of Sunday’s game against the undefeated Packers. … Quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Alshon Jeffery were among seven Chicago Bears players listed as questionable for this weekend’s home game against the Oakland Raiders. Cutler has been nursing a hamstring he injured trying to make a tackle two weeks ago following an interception. Jeffery has the same injury. … Despite another setback with his injured calf, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz believes he will play this season. Speaking for the first time since experiencing another problem with his left calf, Cruz confirmed that he received a shot of platelet-rich plasma on Thursday in an effort to hasten his recovery. … Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will likely be a game-time decision to play against Jacksonville. He was limited in practice for the third straight day with a sore right shoulder. … Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy is out indefinitely after revealing he had a setback with his hamstring injury last week. McCoy originally injured his hamstring at a training camp practice.