METAIRIE, La. — Reggie Bush ran on Wednesday for the first time since having surgery on his left knee just over two weeks ago.

Although he didn't practice, it was a promising sight for a team dealing with constant reminders that roster stability may be more of a privilege than a right.

"It felt really good, actually," Bush said, adding that he'd be surprised if he missed any more games after this Sunday's NFC South divisional contest at Atlanta. "I definitely feel like I'll be playing next week (at Kansas City). That's how good I feel right now."

Bush even held out slim hope for coming back against the Falcons, but said his chances "probably aren't that good."

"I'm definitely going to focus on trying to be as healthy as possible before I step on that field and not allow my competitive nature to take over," Bush said. "You've got to be smart about this."

After resting last weekend for their bye, the Saints (4-4) are now working toward what they hope will be an improved second half of the season.

Their first eight games were more challenging than expected, both on and off the field. Injuries, along with suspensions that already have sidelined one starter and may affect two more, have been an ongoing challenge.

Bush's injury, which occurred in a loss at Carolina on Oct. 19, isn't even the latest to affect the starting lineup.

During the Saints' win over San Diego in London one week later, Charles Grant tore his triceps and this week went on injured reserve, making him the second defensive starter to be lost for the year. Rookie cornerback Tracy Porter (broken wrist) was the first.

Other injuries have caused numerous starters or regulars to miss games, including wide receiver Marques Colston (thumb), tight end Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia), linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), receiver David Patten (groin) and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (knee).

The Saints are also on their third kicker (Garrett Hartley) and third punter (Glenn Pakulak) of the season, having dealt with inconsistency at those positions all fall.

The Saints were able bolster their run defense this week, re-signing defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, who was released after tearing his triceps in the preseason.

But now running back Deuce McAllister and top defensive end Will Smith could each be out four games, pending the appeal of their suspensions for testing positive for a diuretic that is banned by the NFL. Smith has offered few details about his case, but McAllister has said his positive test resulted from using diet pills that don't list the diuretic as an ingredient.

McAllister and Smith didn't want to discuss when their appeals may be heard because of the league's confidentiality policy.

"I'm not even concerned with it, worried about it. Whenever it happens, it happens, but my focus is Atlanta," McAllister said. "I've got to work. ... That's what they pay me to do, so it's not something I'm going to be concerned with daily."

One constant has been the extraordinary play of quarterback Drew Brees, who has led the Saints offense to a league-best 403.1 yards per game.

"It's kind of crazy with injuries and suspensions maybe, maybe not," Brees said. "You just have to fight through it and whoever's out on the field we know can get the job done or else they wouldn't be there."

Brees might feel obligated to say such things, but he's backed it up by throwing for an NFL-leading 2,563 yards despite constant lineup changes at receiver and tight end.

McAllister said constant roster changes "makes it harder, but you still have an opportunity to make plays."

"You still go back and look at those games that we lost. We were still in the game," McAllister said with three of New Orleans' losses coming by a combined 10 points. "You learn from it, or you won't be playing in the postseason."