Drew Brees Makes His Return After Thumb Surgery As Saints Beat Cardinals

After suffering a torn ligament in his thumb on Sept. 15 and undergoing surgery to repair it the following week, quarterback Drew Brees made his return to the Saints’ starting lineup on Sunday (Oct. 27) against the Arizona Cardinals.

Brees is BACK!@drewbrees' first TD since coming back from his thumb injury!@LataviusM
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/kHEYfHZmMl

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 27, 2019

Brees went 34-for-43 with 373 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the Saints beat the Cardinals 31-9. The Saints are now 7-1 heading into their Week 9 bye week. The 40-year-old quarterback missed five weeks with his injury, and there was speculation earlier this week over whether or not he would sit out one more week before making his return.

“I mean, listen, it’s not fully healed I think until three months,” Brees said on Wednesday when asked by reporters about concerns he might re-injure the thumb. “But that internal brace obviously provides some stability and support, as does the splint.” (An internal brace was installed during the surgery to repair his torn ulnar collateral ligament, and Brees wore a splint on his thumb while playing.)

The Saints were still cautious with Brees, bringing in backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to replace him late in the fourth quarter. The team won all five games Bridgewater started in Brees’ absence, and when he entered the game, he was reportedly met with chants of “TEDDY! TEDDY!”

More "Ted-dy! Ted-dy!" chants as Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater is about to enter the game. Drew Brees ends his day 34-of-43 for 373 yards, three TDs and one INT.

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 27, 2019