Left knee injury to sideline Bush again

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints Saturday confirmed reports star Saints running back Reggie Bush won't play Sunday at Chicago.

He skipped practice Friday and was declared out after he missed practice again Saturday.

The former Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California has been sidelined since an MRI Dec. 6 indicated he suffered a partially torn left knee ligament Nov. 25 at Carolina.

This season, his second in the NFL, Bush scored four touchdowns on 157 carries for 581 yards and scored twice after catching 73 passes for 417 yards. He lost three fumbles.

The Saints maintain very slim playoff hopes but the team did not say if Bush will play in the post-season.

Coach Sean Payton told The Times-Picayune his likely tailback rotation against the Bears would include the recently signed Chris Barclay, Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas and fullback Mike Karney.