Anquan Boldin should be able to play Sunday in New Orleans. Boldin, who missed Sunday’s game at Seattle with a sore toe, returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday and said he should be OK to return.

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“It’s still a little sore but I was able to do a couple of things,” the defensive back said. “Unless anything happens, I should be out there Sunday.”

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “We’re still feeling it out. But he made some progress, obviously.”

Whisenhunt also has been cheered by the return to practice this week of safety Aaron Francisco, who should return to action Sunday after missing six of the past seven games with knee and calf problems.

The safety position has been hurt by the season-ending injury to Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson.

“As long as we don’t have a setback (Friday) I feel good about his contributing in the game on Sunday,” Whisenhunt said.

“It feels great,” Francisco said. “It’s been frustrating the last few weeks, just sitting there and having to watch practice every day. It feels like I haven’t been out there for a year. I’m just glad I’ll be out there on the field playing again.”

BUSH MISSES DEUCE

Reggie Bush misses fellow running back Deuce McCallister, injured early this season. says Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Bush was hailed as one of the greatest players to enter the NFL in years by draft experts and media observers, but so far his career has been just so-so.

“I think it was tough losing Deuce,” Brees said.

“Not only for his productivity but also just as a mentor to Reggie, a guy who’s been in the league for awhile, knows what it takes to prepare each week and be a professional.

“Reggie needs a guy like that just to kind of watch and emulate a little bit.

“Reggie is a very talented individual. But ... at this level, you need to learn how to prepare. You need to learn certain fundamentals that you carry with you.

“As a young player, that’s part of the learning curve.”

Bush is nursing a knee injury and is not expected to play Sunday.

URBAN’S RETURN

Jerheme Urban will try to follow up his terrific bounce-back game Sunday with another outstanding performance in St. Louis.

Urban, a late pick-up by the Cardinals, had an early impact with a touchdown pass vs. Pittsburgh, then struggled in a couple of games before suffering a heel injury.

At Seattle, where Urban once played, he had six catches for 123 yards and a score. Oddly enough, before the Seahawks’ game, coach Mike Holmgren asked Whisenhunt, “How’s Jerheme doing?”

“He obviously made an impression on them when he was up there,” Whisenhunt said. “Then Jerheme had a good game.”

BERRY WINS AWARD

Defensive end Bertrand Berry has been named the Cardinals’ winner of the Ed Block Courage Award, given to the player who best exemplifies the principles of sportsmanship and courage in the face of adversity.

Berry returned to action this year after tearing the right triceps muscle in the 10th game of the 2006 season.

The award is given each year in a vote by teammates to one player on each of the 32 NFL teams.

Berry is also one of the most Cardinals in community and charitable events.

MISSING SAINTS

Those not practicing for the Saints Thursday included running back Reggie Bush (knee), tight end Eric Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Brian Young (illness) and linebacker Scott Fujita (personal reasons).