New Orleans Saints: Reggie Bush, Justin Drescher And Latest Injury News

After several conflicting reports it finally appears the Saints will return running back Reggie Bush to the lineup just in time for Thursday’s big game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Bush has missed every game since breaking his fibula in week 2 and has been rumored to make his return to the lineup since week nine although almost routinely being scratched just before each contest.

Much was the same leading up to the Saints game against the Seahawks this past Sunday as Bush participated in practice on a limited basis and was expected to play before the decision was made to keep him out another week.

Bush has resumed practicing in full with the team this week and should be a welcome addition to the Saints offense who have struggled rushing the ball and returning punts in his absence. New Orleans is a much better team with him on the field than without as he brings an added dimension as a decoy for opposing defenses to key on.

As fast as he arrived new long snapper Jake Ingram is gone.

Ingram was signed on the heels of the Saints placement of veteran long snapper Jason Kyle on the injured reserve list. He was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2009 draft and won the snapping job appearing in 25 games before his release last month.

The Saints used Ingram in their 34-19 victory over the Seahawks but a bad snap forced Chase Daniel to try and run in an extra point unsuccessfully. Later Hartley would miss a 27 yard field goal although coach Payton declared that the “snap and hold were clean” thus making Hartley’s miss his mistake alone.

To replace Ingram the Saints have signed undrafted rookie free agent Justin Drescher to take over the snapping duties. He will travel with the team to Dallas and is expected to start as the teams primary snapper.

After a physical game against the Seahawks the Saints injury report is a little longer this week. Those that have not participated in practice are linebacker Stanley Arnoux (achilles), running back Ladell Betts (head/neck) and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (quad).

Limited participation in practice were center Jonathan Goodwin (back), defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (knee), running back Chris Ivory (shoulder, knee), corner Malcolm Jenkins (kneck), safety Darren Sharper (hamstring), tight end Jeremy Shockey (rib), running back Pierre Thomas (ankle) and safety Usama Young (calf).

Besides Reggie Bush tackle Jermon Bushrod (knee), defensive end Junior Gallette (shoulder), corner Patrick Robinson (ankle) and tackle Jon Stinchcomb (knee) all practiced with the team in full.

Check out Keith Null’s weekly article about the Saints on NFL.com by clicking here.

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