Saints running back Reggie Bush, who has missed the last five games with a broken right fibula, says that the Saints' doctors have approved him to run this week. If all goes well, he could play against the Steelers on Sunday. Based on the time frame here, though, it doesn't sound especially likely that he'll play. Playing an NFL game and being approved to run, even if it's at full speed, are two different things, as Bush suggests here:
However, he cautioned that he is not sure how he’ll feel when he tries to make sharp, lateral cuts typically required of him during games. Bush said doctors have told him he’ll know he’s ready to play when he can tolerate those types of football moves.
"I’m an explosive player, so it’s different doing things in the training room than getting out there on the football field and making those hard cuts and routes and all those things," Bush said. "I’ve got to play a whole football game, not just an hour in the training room."
I'm not sure the Steelers should be shaking in their shoes at the prospect of facing Bush anyway, but he's versatile - as the article notes, he can contribute by catching passes and running back punts. If nothing else, his absence would make the Saints a little more predictable in those areas.
For more on the Steelers' matchup against the Saints, check out Michael Bean's feature last week about the Steelers' schedule.