Drew Brees is expected to miss six weeks with a thumb injury, but the quarterback believes he could return to the New Orleans Saints sooner.

"As far as the timetable for getting back though, they say 6 to 8 weeks. I think I can beat that, but I'm just gonna take it one week at a time and see how things go," Brees said in a radio interview.

Brees revealed that he decided to have an internal brace inserted during surgery, which could expedite his recovery timetable.

"It's something that immediately gives it strength and stability, [which] allows you to start rehabbing right away. You don't have to be immobilized or be in a cast," he explained.