METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' offense is getting healthier by the day.
Drew Brees returned to full practice participation Thursday after getting some rare rest on Wednesday. Running back Mark Ingram returned to practice on a limited basis after missing Wednesday. And receiver Michael Thomas and center Max Unger continued to practice on a limited basis.
It seems likely that Ingram, Thomas and Unger will all be able to play based on their practice participation this week.
Thomas (foot) and Unger (foot) both missed last Sunday's 16-11 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- and both were missed badly, considering Thomas is New Orleans' leader in receptions and touchdown catches and Unger is arguably their most valuable offensive lineman. But both of them have been practicing on a limited basis all week, suggesting they'll be back in the lineup against the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense.
Ingram, meanwhile, should be able to play Sunday since he also played through the same injuries last week after missing some practice time. Ingram has been playing through the toe injury for the past two weeks.
Ingram might not be a great fantasy option, though. Although he has shown great upside at times, he remains in a 50-50 timeshare with fellow veteran Tim Hightower. And the Saints' run game has been virtually non-existent over the past two weeks.
The Saints had 16 carries for 46 yards in last week's loss at Tampa Bay and 12 carries for 50 yards in a Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions.
As for Brees, he was never in any danger of missing Sunday's game. Coach Sean Payton explained Thursday that he was limited Wednesday to basically keep a “pitch count” on his throws, especially this late in the season -- the same thing the Cardinals do weekly with Carson Palmer.
Payton estimated the Saints have done that with Brees to some degree five or six times in the past, maybe a couple this year, but it hadn't reached the point where he was listed as limited in practice before.
The worst news on the Saints' injury report is that top cornerback Delvin Breaux was out with a shoulder injury for the second straight day, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday. Linebacker Stephone Anthony (knee) also missed practice for the second straight day.
Linebacker Craig Robertson (shoulder), safety Shiloh Keo (hamstring), fullback John Kuhn (groin) and running back Daniel Lasco (hamstring) were limited.
