Saints' Drew Brees: Expected to play in preseason finale

Head coach Sean Payton said he plans to play his starters, likely including Brees, in the first quarter of Thursday's preseason finale against the Ravens, ESPN's Mike Triplett reports.

Analysis:

Brees hasn't started the fourth preseason game since his first year in New Orleans, but the Saints apparently want him and the rest of the starters to get one final tune-up prior to the regular season. While unlikely to play more than one or two drives, Brees should get to face a Baltimore defense comprised largely of second-string players. He was sharp in Friday's preseason loss to Pittsburgh, completing nine of 12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.