Bush, Thomas doubtful for preseason finale

Bush, who hasn't played since straining his right calf during joint practices with the Houston Texans during training camp, has only three carries for 5 yards during the entire preseason - all in the exhibition opener Aug. 14.

Bush said Tuesday that he has felt healthy enough to play throughout camp, but did not feel the need to risk injury in exhibition games. He added that he would like to play against Miami, but did not believe it was vital to get him ready for the regular season opener against Detroit in the Louisiana Superdome on Sept. 13.

"I would like to get some live snaps, just to get back into the flow of football," Bush said. "All in all, I'll be fine. Whether I get ... snaps or not, I'll be ready to go next week."

Coach Sean Payton also hedged when asked about playing Bush against the Dolphins.

"I don't know. I'm hopeful and yet I want to be smart about it," Payton said. "It's progressing well with the rehab and everything, and what's most important is the opening game, yet I'd like to get him some work if it's possible."

Payton was more doubtful about Thomas, who sprained his right knee when the Saints played at Houston on Aug. 22.

"I don't think we're going to be able to play Pierre in this game," Payton said.

Bush and Thomas did not practice on Tuesday, the last full workout before the Saints play the Dolphins. Others who missed practice included WR Adrian Arrington (hamstring), LT Jammal Brown (hernia), S Chip Vaughn (left knee) and S Usama Young (right shoulder).

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RELEASING ROD: Payton said it was hard to let Rod Coleman go, given his efforts throughout last spring's offseason workouts and training camp as the veteran defensive tackle sought to return to the NFL following a year out of football.

Coleman, who turned 33 last month, was among three players the Saints released on Monday while reducing their roster to 75, the maximum for the final week of the preseason.

"It was difficult because he had put in a lot of time throughout the offseason all the way through minicamp and training camp," Payton said. "When you get to this part of the year and you're having to talk to players that have been with you since March, those are never easy."

Coleman was a top defensive lineman for Oakland and Atlanta during his first nine NFL seasons, and was a Pro Bowl selection as recently as 2005. He saw playing time this preseason with the Saints, but assisted on only one tackle in the previous two games.

Payton said the decision to waive Coleman "was probably a combination of the players that are playing in front of him and where he's at."

The Saints must trim the active roster down to the regular-season maximum of 53 players by Saturday.