http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8836886/Sources:-Bush-out-for-Monday-night's-game

Sources: Bush out for Monday night's game

e New Orleans Saints are looking for a much-needed spark to jumpstart their scoring, but it appears they will have to wait at least another week for help from the obvious boost.

Despite reports all week pointing to the return of Reggie Bush after practicing all week, Saints players told FOXSports.com that Bush actually sat out Sunday morning's walk-through practice and will not play Monday night. Bush's knee is still too sore for him to return to full action yet and the team has decided not to push him back too early, the sources said.

Bush told reporters this week he was starting to feel good and he practiced all the way up to Saturday. But in the end, the knee was still too sore and some teammates even question whether his knee will be healthy enough to go next week. Bush, meanwhile, has pushed to get back on the field, but the team is not willing to risk long-term effects that could arise with playing him too early.

Prior to going down with a knee injury in Week 7 against the Panthers, Bush had begun to fulfill the immense potential he showed in college that made him the second pick of the draft. He had 294 yards rushing and 366 yards receiving on 42 catches, scoring five TDs — two rushing and three receiving. But his return threat has made him a triple-edged sword as he has averaged a stunning 21.9 yard per punt return with three TDs.

In his place, Pierre Thomas will get the nod and recently signed Mike Bell will also see significant action.