Drew Brees's Imminent Return Increases Saints Playoff Chances

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees told a local radio station he plans on returning to action as quickly as he can and here's how it could impact the playoff chase.

Last night during an appearance on WWL 870 AM Radio New Orleans, Saints starting #1 QB and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees told hosts Bobby Hebert and Kristian Garic that he's "just trying to get back as quickly as he can".

And while Brees could be back as soon as a week and a half from now when the Saints host the Arizona Cardinals, it's more than likely that he will start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week #10. Either way, the 40-year-old QB's imminent return will keep New Orleans in the heart of the NFC Playoff chase during the 2nd half of the season.

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Appearing on WWL's locally top-rated "Sports Talk" program, Brees also revealed that he will have to wear a specially made splint on his throwing hand for the rest of the year, to protect his previously torn thumb ligament and to promote quicker healing.

"I'm gonna have to wear a splint. That's doctor's orders," said Brees. The 19th year veteran then elaborated in great detail how the splint will be worn and the reason behind it.

"The splint just basically goes on the outside of the thumb. I'm going to have to tape it on there. It protects the joint to a degree because it does take a while for that ligament to actually heal".

"So basically while it's healing, it has that internal brace which was sewed...back into my thumb along with the ligament and, then I've got this splint that sits on the outside of my thumb that I have to tape on that's supposed to provide a little protection as well".

Listening to Brees' explanation, it seems very unlikely that he'd start or play against the Cardinals; and a lot more likely that he would be back against the Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 10th. The Saints have their Bye Week in Week #9 following the Cardinals game, which will give Brees an extra two weeks essentially for the thumb to heal even further before returning to the starting line-up. 

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With the (5-1) Saints leading the NFC South Division by one game over the Carolina Panthers and being one of only three NFC teams with only one loss at the moment (along with 5-1 Seattle and Green Bay) right behind current conference leader (and undefeated) San Francisco; the Black and Gold should remain in the very heart of the playoff chase until the end of this season.

The real chase for the Saints will start when they host the Panthers on November 24th, the Sunday right before Thanksgiving. That game will directly impact how the Saints ultimately fare within their division, which as of now seems like it will come down between only them and Carolina.

But the game that many observers and analysts are circling on the calendar is the game that will take place two weeks later, on December 8th at the Superdome.

That's when New Orleans will host the 49ers in a contest that could have a huge bearing upon the NFC Playoff seeding once the season ends. 

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It also will be the 49ers' first trip to New Orleans in nearly 5 years when the two teams last met at the Superdome in the 2014 season.

After the 49ers game, New Orleans has games against the Colts and Titans before they close out the 2019 NFL Season in what could be the "game of the year" at Charlotte, North Carolina in a Week #17 rematch with the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium that very likely will determine this year's NFC South Division champion.

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Keep in mind: all of this is under the presumption that Brees doesn't experience any setbacks with the healing process, or (God forbid) that he should suffer another injury elsewhere other than his throwing hand.

However, if everything goes how it's planned, the Saints will remain in the heart of the NFC Playoff chase; a chase they hope not only will see them make the post-season but give them a shot at achieving their ultimate goal: making it all the way to Super Bowl LIV (54) next February.