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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees expects to participate in practice this week with an eye on returning to game action against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Brees made his intentions known to ESPN’s Mike Triplett following New Orleans’ 36-25 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

“We’ll see how it goes,” the 40-year-old Brees said Sunday. “I’d love to (play). It’s a goal.”

Brees has been sidelined since Sept. 15 after he sustained torn ligaments on his throwing thumb in a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He reportedly was expected to be out of action for six weeks following surgery on Sept. 18, a timeline that would coincide with Sunday’s home game against the Cardinals.

Teddy Bridgewater has fared well in Brees’ absence, leading the Saints (6-1) to five consecutive victories. Bridgewater, 26, has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,370 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

New Orleans will enter its bye week following Sunday’s game against Arizona (3-3-1). Should the Saints elect to give Brees additional time to mend, he figures to return to action on Nov. 10 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Brees, who is the NFL’s all-time leading passer, needs 155 yards to become the first in NFL history to pass for 75,000. He is 18 passing touchdowns shy of leapfrogging Peyton Manning (539) for most in a career, although New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady — who was tied with Brees at 522 when the latter got hurt — has 527 heading into Monday’s game against the New York Jets.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)