AP

When a player is as central to a team’s fortunes as Drew Brees is to the Saints, his daily practice attire is worth noting.

According to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints quarterback was back in full pads for this morning’s practice.

Brees has been out of practice since Aug. 1 with a strained oblique, and the Saints haven’t said much beyond the general “day-to-day,” designation.

He’s apparently not going through a full workload today, but the simple act of wearing pads is a step forward, as they protect their franchise quarterback from aggravating an injury that could linger.