Saints QB Drew Brees to start vs. Jaguars

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Sunday, December 27, 2015

New Orleans Saints quarterbackDrew Brees, despite beinglisted as questionable with a torn plantar fascia, will start Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Brees, who returned to practice on a limited basis Friday, had insisted that he would play and that the game plan wouldn't be limited based on the injury to his right heel.

"It hurts to walk. It has its challenges," Brees said earlier this week. "But we've come up with a good plan for this week, how to support it and how to make it as manageable as possible."

Veteran backup Matt Flynn and rookie Garrett Graysonhad split the practice reps in Brees' absence on Thursday.

The Saints, who are 5-9, will be without receiver Marques Colston, who suffered a chest injury Monday vs. the Lions and will not play Sunday, a source told Schefter.Brandon Colemancould see an increased workload as the No. 3 receiver -- something Coleman took advantage of whenWillie Sneadmissed a game earlier this month.

Tight end Benjamin Watson, who has been limited with a knee injury, will play for the Saints, a source told Schefter.

ESPN Staff Writer Mike Triplett contributed to this report.