The New Orleans Saints hope to welcome back a familiar face on Sept. 29, when they’ll play the Dallas Cowboys during their Sunday Night Football game. Saints coach Sean Payton said on a conference call with media that the team expects quarterback Drew Brees to return to the sideline for their next game, wearing an earpiece or headset and helping as much as he’s able.
Brees underwent surgery on his injured throwing hand a week ago, with a specialist in Los Angeles implanting a brace that will help repair and strengthen a torn ligament in Brees’ thumb. It’s a cutting-edge procedure that’s more common in basketball and baseball than football, but has produced impressive results.