Drew Brees Injury Update: Saints Plan to Start QB in Week 4

After missing last week's game with a shoulder injury, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be back under center for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Per the Saints' official Twitter, head coach Sean Payton announced Brees would be ready to play in time for Week 4. 

Brees was banged up coming out of New Orleans' Week 2 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He underwent an MRI on his right (throwing) shoulder, which ESPN's Ed Werder reported (via ESPN's Adam Schefter) did not show serious damage. 

According to an Associated Press report Wednesday, via the Los Angeles Times, Brees took most of the snaps at practice and said he felt optimistic about being able to play. 

"I feel really good about Sunday," Brees said. "I'll see how the shoulder responds tomorrow and for the rest of the day, but each day I'm able to do more and more and feel stronger and stronger."

Payton's official announcement Friday validated the quarterback's positivity. He hasn't played up to his usual standards so far this season, completing 62.8 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but a week off to recover may have been exactly what he needed. 

The 36-year-old has not shown any drastic signs of decline before this season started, throwing for 4,952 yards in 2014, and should be able to look close to his normal self against a Dallas defense that gave up 39 points against the Atlanta Falcons last week.