With Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas holding things down, the Saints managed to go 3-1 with Bush on the sideline. But Bush certainly can cause many more problems for the Bucs' defense -- which bodes well for the Saints' already-potent offense.

PLAYER NOTES

--CB Aaron Glenn will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve Thursday. He injured his left ankle in Week 2 and missed five games, then re-injured the ankle on Nov. 9 and hasn't played since.

--FB Mike Karney did not practice again Thursday because of a sprained right knee and will likely be sidelined for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

--DE Jeff Charleston was not able to work on Thursday because of a foot injury and will likely miss Sunday's game as well.

--DE Josh Savage was signed off the practice squad to take CB Aaron Glenn's spot on the active roster and also fill in for DE Jeff Charleston in the rotation at end.

--RB Reggie Bush, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 20, was limited again in practice Thursday, but expects to play Sunday.

GAME PLAN: The Saints will need to be on their game like they were in Monday's thorough beating of Green Bay when they face Tampa Bay on Sunday. Drew Brees has had some good games against the Bucs since he joined the Saints in 2006, and he'll have to be on target this week against a defense that ranks second in pass defense at 174.6 yards per outing. There will be no secrets as far as the Saints are concerned because they'll throw it at will, the only question that remains is which team will be able to execute on a consistent basis.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Bucs' secondary -- If Brees is going to continue his march to Dan Marino's single-season record of 5,084 passing yards, he'll have to do it against one of the league's best defenses and best cover schemes. But Brees is usually up to the challenge, which this week has him facing steady cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Phillip Buchanon.

Saints LT Jammal Brown vs. Bucs RDE Gaines Adams: Brown was an All-Pro two years ago, but Adams leads the Bucs with five sacks. So this should be an interesting battle as Brown tries to keep Brees clean. The Saints have given up just nine sacks this season, however, and 27 total in the past 27 games dating to the start of the 2007 season.

Saints CB Randall Gay vs. Bucs WR Antonio Bryant: Gay is coming off two solid games in which he broke up four passes in a win over Kansas City and getting three more in a victory over Green Bay. He'll likely be matched up with Bryant, the Bucs' leading receiver, on first and second downs before sliding into the nickel in obvious passing situations.

INJURY IMPACT: FB Darian Barnes will likely start and be the lead blocker for Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas if Mike Karney can't play against the Bucs because of a sprained right knee.