by LES EAST; Special to The Advocate; , The Advocate

Both players are working their way back from knee surgery. Bush practiced Friday, then rested his knee during Saturday's two practices. Colston was held out of team drills the first two days.

"Reggie and Colston are getting close right now," Saints coach Sean Payton said after practice Sunday. "They received more work this morning and will receive some in the next two weeks. By the time, with training camp a week later this year, they should be ready."

The Saints will have four Organized Team Activities this week and four next week before players take a break until training camp begins July 30.

Bush showed no ill effects from his knee surgery. Colston provided one of the highlights of the practice when he made a one-handed catch of a pass from Drew Brees on a slant route. He and Brees stayed after practice to run extra pass routes.

Payton said everyone should be healthy enough to begin training camp with two exceptions. Wide receiver Lance Moore was held out of team drills as he rehabs from recent shoulder surgery. Rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux is likely out for the season after undergoing Achilles surgery.

Former LSU receiver Devery Henderson had a productive weekend, playing multiple spots as he stepped into Colston's spot when Colston wasn't participating. He and third-year receiver Robert Meachem received praise from Payton and Brees.

Running back Pierre Thomas was held out of team drills after bruising his left wrist in the afternoon practice Saturday. It's the same wrist Thomas had surgically repaired in February.

Thomas was wearing a compression sleeve on the wrist to reduce swelling after practice. He said he hopes to fully participate in today's workout.

Though Thomas was the leading rusher last season and is the favorite to be the leading ball carrier this season, Mike Bell was impressive throughout the mini-camp and could push Thomas.

Payton said he thinks fullback Heath Evans, signed as a free agent from New England, will be a better blocker than Mike Karney, who was released. Bush said he expects Evans will give the running game more versatility.

The Saints lost two tight ends to injuries during the mini-camp as Dan Campbell sprained a knee and Darnell Dinkins sprained an ankle. Campbell is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery today and will miss the remaining OTAs, but should be ready for the start of training. Dinkins could be back during OTAs.

Backup weakside linebacker Dan Morgan sat out the last three practices after suffering a calf strain in the afternoon workout Friday. Starting weakside linebacker Scott Shanle missed the last two practices because of a calf strain. Mark Simoneau was the first-team weakside linebacker during the last two workouts.

The Saints worked primarily on third down and nickel situations on both offense and defense Sunday. Payton said the team will continue to install its playbook during OTAs by simulating the routine they will follow in training camp.

"The mental aspect of it is tremendous because it's a dry run really for what they're going to get in training camp when they do have pads on," Payton said. "Where to be, where to align, the depths, techniques and all the specifics as it pertains to the scheme that we're using on either side of the ball and in the kicking game.

"Secondly, there are a lot of timing issues that you begin working on right now. We put some new things in every year at this time of the year and take a look at them and see if we like them or not."

First-round draft choice Malcolm Jenkins, who is capable of playing safety, has been used exclusively at cornerback since arriving Saturday.

Payton said he has been impressed with the leg strength and comfort level of rookie punter Thomas Morstead, a fifth-round draft choice.

He added that third-string quarterback Joey Harrington is competing with Mark Brunell to be the primary backup to Brees.

The Saints conducted their final mini-camp practice in their indoor facility after working outside for the first four practices.

Payton said this team has had a higher level of participation in the offseason program than any of his three previous Saints teams.

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