Saints running back Reggie Bush has been on the practice field this week, but his return for this Sunday's game against the Steelers is still "doubtful." Bush broke his leg in Week 2 and has been out since.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees says the team hasn't yet pushed the panic button. New Orleans dropped to 4-3 following their disappointing loss to Cleveland on Sunday. "We're all in the midst of trying to put our finger on what exactly is going on," Brees said. "We know the type of team we have. We know the type of work ethic we have. The effort is there. Guys want to win. Guys want to be great." Brees threw 11 interceptions all of last season and he has already tossed ten this season.

Saints running back Reggie Bush plans to test his broken right leg in practice on Wednesday. Bush plans to possibly play on Sunday night against the Steelers. He has missed five games since fracturing his right fibula in Week 2. "I expect to go out there and see what I can do," Bush said. "I don't know if I can practice, if I'm going to be 100 percent. I'm just going to go out there and give it my best shot. I feel good, but I haven't gone out there."

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported on Sunday that Saints coach Sean Payton is frustrated with running back Pierre Thomas. Thomas hasn't played since hurting his ankle in Week 3 against the Falcons. "I'm still hurt; my ankle still bothers me," Thomas said. "I'm taking it day by day." He added that he has received no indication that Payton or the organization is unhappy with him. "I don't even know what to say about that," Thomas said. "I haven't felt ... nothing. Everything seems cool around here."

The Saints have activated safety Darren Sharper and he will be on the team's 53-man roster for Sunday's game against the Browns. Sharper, a five-time Pro Bowler, started the season on the team's reserve/physically unable to perform list while he recovered from offseason microfracture surgery on his left knee. He led the league with nine interceptions in 2009.

Saints running back Pierre Thomas will miss his third straight game on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle. "I'm a little frustrated, but hey, it's coming along," said Thomas, who told the Times-Picayune his ankle is "starting to look like a normal ankle again." Thomas doesn't want to risk a setback by returning before he is ready. "Now I'm in the process of seeing where the strength is at," he said. "It's just taking too long."

Reggie Bush is battling back from a broken fibula. Bush has been "making huge leaps" every day in his recovery while running on the treadmill and in the pool and working on the exercise bike. "I've been going pretty hard and doing some running and feeling good. So I think it's just kind of the waiting game, just to see how it feels every day," Bush said. "The next step will be doing directional stuff, moving around on it, and not just going north and south. Going east and west on it, and just trying to see how it feels." Bush is shooting to return for either Week 7 or Week 8.

The Saints have signed running back Julius Jones. In a related move, New Orleans released kicker John Carney. The Saints picked up Jones after losing two of three games since Reggie Bush fractured a bone in his left leg.

Saints running back Pierre Thomas will miss his second straight game on Sunday when the team takes on the Cardinals. Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury.