Saints fans can only imagine what Drew Brees might be able to do when the players who were expected to be his top receivers are healthy, but there's hope in New Orleans that such a day is coming soon.

"It's exciting looking at all the potential we have at offense," Colston said after Friday's practice at the team's suburban training center. "We've got a lot of guys playing at a high level right now, and the more we get back and playing together, it's just going to get better and better.

"We're already a top offense, but we still feel like there's a lot more we can do."

Colston, the Saints' leading receiver during the previous two seasons, has played in only three games this season because of a thumb injury in Week 1. He didn't have a reception in his first game back at Carolina. However, he had two catches for 56 yards in New Orleans' last game - a victory over San Diego in London two weeks ago. He began to look more like the player he was expected to be with a 49-yard reception during a third-quarter scoring drive.

Shockey has missed three games because of sports hernia surgery in Week 4. Yet, even when he has played, he's been in pain and sometimes criticized the team's medical staff for it's handling of an injury that first bothered him in training camp.

Last weekend's bye gave New Orleans' healing receivers a needed rest, and most are expected to play in a crucial divisional contest at Atlanta on Sunday, a game the Saints (4-4) could use as a springboard to get back into playoff contention if they win.

Running back Reggie Bush, who often doubles as a receiver, is the only one of Brees' regular targets who'll miss Sunday's game while recovering from surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee. Even veteran receiver David Patten, who missed the last four games with a groin pull, is expected to play.

That leaves Saints coach Sean Payton eager to see how his offense performs as most of his top receivers return to form.

Payton has seen firsthand what Shockey can do when healthy. The Saints' coach was the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2002, when Shockey had 894 yards receiving and was named NFL rookie of the year. Payton pushed hard during the offseason to acquire Shockey in a trade completed just before training camp.

"The bye in his case came at a good time," Payton said. "I'm sure it's been frustrating because the injury prohibits you from playing like you're used to. But the good news is we've got half a season left and he is healthy now. So he's going to be more and more involved, and we think that's a plus."

Shockey was less enthusiastic about his health, saying he was still "pretty sore."

"All I can say is the doctor that did the surgery, I talked to him (Thursday) and he said, 'You might face some setbacks,"' Shockey said. "The bye was at a good time but still I think it's going to take time."

Never known for hiding his feelings, Shockey sometimes struggles to contain his disappointment with the length of his recovery, muttering, "This never should have happened."

Still, he expressed hope that he'll soon regain the form of his four Pro Bowl seasons earlier this decade.

"All the doctors' decisions, the doctors viewing X-Rays, this, that and MRIs, that's in the past," Shockey said. "The toughest part about this game is to stay healthy. To the Saints fans, to the organization, to my teammates, hopefully they still trust and believe in what I can do. I know what I'm capable of and I think the fans will definitely see it soon."

Colston, meanwhile, continues to wear a splint on his injured hand, but appears to be increasingly comfortable catching the ball.

"He's close to 100 percent now," Payton said. "He's doing the things we're used to seeing him do in practice, catching the ball the right way. So that's good. His role will be expanded."

Relying on receivers such as Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem, as well as tight end Billy Miller, Brees has been able to throw for 320.4 yards per game. All along, Colston has watched with envy, awaiting the day he'd be ready to resume his role as a leader in New Orleans' potent aerial assault.

"I'm used to playing at a high level," Colston said. "I feel like I'm able to do that again and hopefully ... help this team make a push for the playoffs."