New Orelans Saints: Team confident Drew Brees will play against Cowboys

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said Friday he plans for quarterback Drew Brees to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

Brees sat out last Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, missing the first game because of injury in his 10-year career with the Saints.

Payton is convinced Brees would be able to play after watching him throw in practice this week.

"I think he's planning on starting and we're planning on starting him," Payton said Friday. "He looked crisp today. I think he's going to end up starting and based on the way the week unfolded each day, I felt like he's made the progress we're looking for."

After being examined again Monday by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, Brees was encouraged by what he was able to do and could return for the matchup with the Cowboys.

The Saints hope Brees' return at home can get the Saints in the win column after starting 0-3 this season. The Cowboys are 2-1.