The electrifying Reggie Bush may be returning at just the right time.
On one hand, the New Orleans Saints (6-3) could use a little jolt to ignite the lagging production of their backfield.
On the other hand, Bush’s former collegiate coach Pete Carroll and Seattle Seahawks (5-4) pay a visit to the French Quarter to face the Saints on Sunday.
Bush isn't worried about his hands, however, as it's been a broken fibula that has sidelined him for seven games. He suffered the injury while attempting to field a punt in a Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Saints have struggled in his absence, working Christopher Ivory, Ladell Betts and even Julius Jones into the mix to serve as a poor man's complement to Drew Brees and the passing attack. New Orleans averages 93.7 yards per game on the ground, good enough for 25th best (read: eighth worst) in the league.
Those numbers are also skewed since Pierre Thomas has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle, thus putting even more of the onus on Brees.
The Super Bowl MVP has rebounded from a sluggish start - by his standards - to toss four touchdowns in his last two games. The performances led to a pair of wins as the Saints triumphantly went into their bye week hot on the heels of the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (7-2).
Wide receiver Marques Colston has also overcome a lukewarm start to score touchdowns in two of his last three games. In that stretch, the 27-year-old Colston has reeled in 24 balls for 252 yards.
The potential return of Bush, however, will help open up the field for Colston and the other Saints receivers - a fact Carroll knows all too well.
Bush and Carroll won a pair of national championships together with Southern California - with the former initially winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy in the process.
Two months ago, however, Bush returned the hardware and the Trojans vacated the 2005 national title after the NCAA levied sanctions against the program for Bush receiving improper benefits.
Getting back to the NFL, the high-octane Saints offense will be the primary concern of Carroll, who had seen his team torched in consecutive weeks by the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants before posting a 36-18 victory over the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.
Matt Hasselbeck threw for 333 yards and a touchdown last week, but was plagued by a left wrist injury which forced him to miss time in this contest. The veteran quarterback is expected to play on Sunday.
Mike Williams continues to be Hasselbeck's most trusted target. The former first-round selection collected a game-high 11 receptions for a career-best 145 yards last weekend.
Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett added a short-yardage touchdown apiece, but Seattle's rushing game continues to be hampered by a battered offensive line. The Seahawks average a meager 86.6 yards per game on the ground, which is fifth worst in the NFL.
Prize rookie left tackle Russell Okung has been dealing with a high-ankle sprain, but the sixth overall pick is expected to give it a go on Sunday.