After getting the morning off, the Saints return for just an afternoon practice. It's time for them to start focusing on the Arizona Cardinals, with the game coming up in just two days.

3:48 p.m. We just found out that tomorrow morning the team will go through a very light walk-through from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and then board the plane for Arizona. That means this is going to be the last full practice before that first pre-season game. Saying that the team is out here in just shorts and jerseys, so it won't be a truly intense workout.

3:57 p.m. The first team offense is slowly going through plays against other members of the offense lined up as a defense. They are simulating the packages that Arizona will likely throw at them.

4:00 p.m. It looks like Marques Colston is the only offensive guy not going this afternoon. I would be very surprised to see him play at all on Thursday.

4:04 p.m. With the offensive guys lining up on defense you get some interesting mixtures, like Deuce McAllister and Tyler Palko at safety, that's a mean looking set of DB's.

4:09 p.m. When the Saints and Cardinals get together this week, it will be a reunion of former teammates and Heisman Trophy winners, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. Yesterday Bush said he's looking forward to seeing his old buddy and talking a little trash to him.

 4:35 p.m. Deuce continues to look great in his rehab, he's had a couple of strong runs in the last few minutes and his stride looks very comfortable.

4:42 p.m. Devery Henderson looks like he's close to being healthy. He's off on the other field running routes and making full speed breaks. Henderson hasn't practiced since injuring his hamstring on the fourth day of camp.

4:46 p.m. Henderson was catching passes from an assistant coach but Brees just came over to work with him while the rest of the team is either taking a break or working on field goals. Just another example of the type of leader Brees is.

4:55 p.m. Have I mentioned yet it's about 1000 degrees out here, which makes it more befuddling why Coach Payton is wearing a long sleeve shirt.

5:00 p.m. Tyler Palko launches a deep ball to Todd Blythe who gets his hands on it. Randall Gay got his hands on it a well and eventually won the struggle to come out with an interception.

5:05 p.m The 3rd team offense is simulating the Arizona offense to give the Saints "D" a good look. The 3rd team guys made a decent showing, Skyler Green caught three passes and Adrian Arrington hauled in one.

5:21 p.m. With Colston out, it looks the starters on Thursday at receiver will be a combination of David Patten, Lance Moore and Terrance Copper. Most of the 2nd team reps are going to Robert Meachem and Adrian Arrington, with Todd Blythe and Skyler Green filling up the 3rd team slots.

5:27 p.m. Practice is being cut real short, so we're done here and will be back with a post practice wrap up shortly.