Brees completed 26-of-43 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Eagles, but he also threw one interception and fumbled twice.

Brees connected with eight different receivers, throwing his touchdowns to Brandin Cooks and Benjamin Watson, while Willie Snead led the team with 141 receiving yards. Brees was under pressure all game long, as he was sacked five times for a loss of 43 yards, and a majority of his stats came in garbage time, as Philly led 26-10 heading into the fourth quarter. His shoulder didn't seem to be much of an issue, as he attempted a number of longer throws, and with the way the Saints' offensive line is playing, Brees could be leading a number of comeback attempts this season, which will only increase his passes.

Brees wasn't listed on the Saints' injury report Wednesday, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

According to Brees, he was able to make all throws in practice, which reflects his performance against the Cowboys on Sunday night. In Week 5, he'll look for his third 300-yard outing of 2015 against an Eagles defense that has surrendered 284.8 yards per game and six passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season.

Brees (shoulder) completed 33 of 41 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Cowboys.

The Saints didn't have an offensive play longer than 21 yards until the game's final minute, when Brees found Brandon Coleman for 31 yards to set up the potential game-winning field goal for Zach Hocker, who then missed a chip-shot kick. It couldn't have worked out better for Brees' owners, as the Saints quarterback connected with C.J. Spiller on a wheel route for an 80-yard, walk-off touchdown on the second snap of overtime. Brees thus finished with easily his best stat line of the season, despite settling for short gains until the last few plays. He was mostly accurate, but he did luck out on a pair of dropped interceptions from ill-advised throws. Brees' shoulder didn't appear to be an issue, and while the lack of deep passes might have been related to his injury, it probably had more to do with the Saints' offensive personnel. Brees has a Week 5 road matchup with the Eagles.

Brees (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Larry Holder of the NOLA.com reports.

As expected, Brees will return from a one-game absence to face a Dallas defense that was shredded by the Falcons in Week 3. The New Orleans offense is off to a slow start, but the unit did play pretty well with Josh McCown under center in last week's 27-22 loss to the Panthers. Though he may still have a bit of soreness bothering him, Brees has reportedly made excellent progress since last week.

Brees (shoulder) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, ESPN's reports.

Bres was limited in practice all week, but both he and head coach Sean Payton have essentially said that the quarterback will play. Although he's likely still dealing with some pain and may not have his usual arm strength, Brees should enjoy his matchup with a Dallas defense that was pummeled by the Falcons last week. To be fair, the Dallas defense was previously off to a nice start, and the New Orleans offense has thus far been mediocre.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said Friday afternoon that he plans to start Brees on Sunday against the Cowboys, NFL Network's Rand Getlin reports.

Brees expressed similar confidence Thursday, saying that nothing could keep him off the field for Sunday's game. His bruised rotator cuff is presumably still a bit sore, and he may not have his typical arm strength, but it sounds like he'll at least give it a go. Brees was a limited practice participant both Wednesday and Thursday, and his official status for Sunday should be available shortly.

Brees (shoulder) expressed confidence Thursday that he'll be able to take the field Sunday against the Cowboys, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports. On Wednesday evening, Brees said, "I'm very confident I will be able to...we'll see how it progresses. But there's not anything that's gonna keep me off the field on Sunday."

Brees' comments should be taken with a grain of salt, as they occurred during a taping of Ellen Degeneres' talk show. However, the quarterback has turned in limited practice showings both Wednesday and Thursday, which indicates progress from the bruised rotator cuff that sidelined him in Week 3. His listing on Friday's injury report will be particularly telling in his quest to return.

Brees (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday, the Saints' official site reports.

Despite his contention that he took most of the reps, according to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, it wasn't enough to equate to a full practice. On a positive note, Brees has built up his workload to the point that a return Sunday against the Cowboys isn't out of the question.

Brees (shoulder) took most of the reps in Wednesday's practice, Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Afterward, Brees said, "I'll see how the shoulder responds tomorrow and the rest of the day, but each day I'm able to do more."

On Friday, Brees was unable to throw with his usual effectiveness, resulting in inactive status Sunday at Carolina. However, Tuesday's throwing session went well, which he followed up with a significant practice showing Wednesday. Since he appears to be improving by the day, Brees could miss just one game as a result of a bruised rotator cuff.

Brees (shoulder) expects to return to practice Wednesday, as Tuesday's throwing session went well, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reports.

Brees apparently made significant progress over the last four days, after he was unable to throw the ball effectively Friday morning. He'll still need to see how his shoulder holds up with more reps, but a Wednesday return to practice would put him on track to play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Brees (shoulder) plans to test his sprained rotator cuff by throwing passes at Tuesday's practice, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reports.

Brees will first be evaluated in a rehab session, so it's possible he doesn't end up throwing passes. He hasn't thrown since Friday, when he was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. His status for Week 4 against the Cowboys is up in the air.

Brees (shoulder) is optimistic but uncertain about his availability for the Saints' Week 4 game against the Cowboys, ESPN.com reports.

Brees, who missed New Orleans' Week 3 loss to Carolina, says his shoulder injury is day-to-day, but admittedly impacts his "functionality", suggesting some structural impediments exist. While Brees will surely do everything he can to prepare to play in Week 4, it's too early to tell right now what his status will ultimately be. In Brees' absence, Luke McCown did a commendable job quarterbacking the Saints' offense Sunday, and may be asked to do the same if Brees' shoulder troubles him any longer.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport indicated Sunday that he has been told that at this stage, Brees (shoulder) is "viewed as a long shot" for next Sunday's contest against the Cowboys.

Rapoport adds that Brees' shoulder injury, which has been described as a bruise, is actually a rotator cuff sprain, an issue that infers that the QB may be dealing with some degree of structural damage. In any case, we'll track Brees' status in the coming days, but it looks like backup Luke McCown's starting stint may last longer that one game.

Brees (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game in Carolina, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

According to ESPN's Mike Triplett, Saints head coach Sean Payton still expects Brees to return "sooner rather than later", suggesting that the star quarterback could be available for Week 4 against the Cowboys. Luke McCown will start Sunday's road game against a tough Carolina defense as the Saints try to avoid an 0-3 start.

Brees (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice, Larry Holder of New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Although he participated in some drills Thursday, it's unclear if Brees has actually commenced throwing, which is the all-important step in his quest to play Sunday at Carolina. If his bruised rotator cuff doesn't yield, though, Luke McCown is preparing to direct the Saints' offense in Week 3.

While both Brees (bruised rotator cuff) and coach Sean Payton have expressed optimism with regard to the QB's chances of playing Sunday against the Panthers, such an outcome is not a lock at this stage, ESPN.com reports. "It may be a little later in the week before we know for sure," Payton acknowledged Thursday.

Brees, who refrained from throwing any passes during Wednesday's practice, has expressed confidence that he will be able to suit up Sunday against the Panthers, but ultimately his Week 3 status won't be determined until after he throws some and is subsequently evaluated, while and after he does so.

Coach Sean Payton's optimism with regard to Brees' prospects of playing this weekend are a product of the quarterback's positive outlook on that front, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. When referring to the notion put forth Wednesday that he thought Brees -- who has a bruised rotator cuff -- would play on Sunday, Payton acknowledged, "I think it was just overall echoing his mood and the way I see his responses."

For his part, Brees -- who didn't throw any passes and was limited during Wednesday's practice -- has expressed confidence that he will be able to give it a go Sunday against the Panthers, but Payton indicated Thursday that Brees will have to throw at some point as the week rolls along in order to play this weekend.

Brees (shoulder) intends to suit up and play Sunday at Carolina, Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Brees didn't throw in Wednesday's practice but took part in a couple drills, which is a small step in the direction of active status Sunday. However, he'll likely have to show some progress with his bruised rotator cuff, namely be able to make at least nominal throws, before the team's medical staff will clear him for action.

Brees (shoulder) believes there is a "reasonable possibility" he plays this week versus the Panthers, ESPN's Ed Werder reports.

Brees' status for Week 3 is very much up in the air due to his rotator cuff injury, but he is not ready to rule himself out just yet. Brees' participation, or lack thereof, in practice this week will likely be a key factor in whether or not he is able to take the field against the Panthers.

Brees has been diagnosed with a bruised rotator cuff, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Fortunately for Brees, he avoided a torn rotator cuff, but the famed Dr. James Andres is expected to examine MRI results in order to confirm the extent of the injury. With treatment on tap this week, it's unclear if Brees will be able to practice, but an absence would place Luke McCown under center for the Saints.