Saints’ Drew Brees takes most of snaps at practice and could play Sunday

Drew Brees’ return to the New Orleans Saints’ lineup seemingly will come sooner than later, even if the club’s all-time passer isn’t quite ready to guarantee he’ll be back under center against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

Brees said he took most of the snaps Wednesday at practice in Metairie, La., “and obviously felt good — good enough to do that.”

“I feel really good about Sunday,” he added. “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.”

Brees expressed confidence last week that he would be able to play in Carolina, but ultimately missed a 27-22 loss to the Panthers, which dropped New Orleans to 0-3.

This week holds more promise for Brees’ return, if only because he and Coach Sean Payton both said the quarterback’s participation at practice is far more typical than last week, when backup Luke McCown handled first-team snaps.

Brees was hurt when he was hit while attempting to throw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 20.

Luck gets some rest

The beating quarterback Andrew Luck has taken this season on the field is taking a toll.

Indianapolis Colts Coach Chuck Pagano decided to give Luck most of practice off so he could rest his sore throwing shoulder. Pagano said it was only a precaution and that he expects Luck to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I’m not a witch doctor, I don’t have a crystal ball. I just listen to the trainers and the doctors, but I wouldn’t bet against 12, ever,” Pagano said, referring to Luck’s jersey number.

Just seeing Luck out of action was odd.

Since the Colts drafted him with the top overall pick in 2012, Luck has been one of the league’s most durable players. He has started all 57 games, including the playoffs, and hasn’t showed up on an injury report since late in his rookie season when he was listed with a knee injury. He doesn’t even like taking plays off in practice.

Luck insists this injury is no big deal.

“There’s always bumps and bruises that show up in high school, college and the NFL. You deal with stuff, you manage it,” Luck said. “It’s nothing more than that in my mind.”

Etc.

Two days after wide receiver Victor Cruz said he expected to play this weekend, his return seemingly is on hold. New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said Cruz was unable to practice after feeling some discomfort in his calf. He participated in some individual drills, but he had to shut it down before the team phase of practice.

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The Saints traded defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to the New England Patriots for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.

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Buffalo Bills Coach Rex Ryan said there’s a “real possibility” that running back LeSean McCoy won’t play against the Giants because of a hamstring injury.

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The Green Bay Packers placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve/designated to return with a sprained left knee. Quarless, who was hurt Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, will miss a minimum of eight weeks.

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The New York Jets might be without wide receiver Eric Decker for a second straight game when they play the Miami Dolphins in London on Sunday. Decker has a sprained left knee that has kept him out since he was injured in Week 2 against the Colts.

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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes passed his post-concussion tests and resumed practice with the team, three days after his collision with safety Andrew Sendejo while they both tried to make a tackle in the game against the San Diego Chargers.