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Saints head to London without Bush to meet Chargers

Oct 21, 2008 - 5:57 PM San Diego (3-4) at New Orleans (3-4), 1:00 pm EDT

LONDON (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Saints were starting to get healthy on offense, but now they will travel across the Atlantic Ocean without one of their best offensive weapons.

The Saints will be without star running back Reggie Bush on Sunday when they square off against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium.

Bush underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday and is expected to miss two to four weeks. He suffered the injury on a punt return just before the half of last Sunday's 30-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The 23-year-old Bush did not travel with the team, but could be back after the bye week. He has 294 rushing yards, 366 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

Bush's injury came in the same game that marked the returns of receiver Marques Colston and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who both struggled. Colston had a pair of drops and did not make a catch, while Shockey hauled in five receptions for 50 yards but committed a critical fumble.

Without Bush, New Orleans will rotate Deuce McAllister, Pierre Thomas and Aaron Stecker at running back, but most of the pressure will fall on Drew Brees.

Brees leads the NFL with 2,224 passing yards this season. He has thrown 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

The Chargers are looking to bounce back from a 23-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday.

San Diego is still searching for more production from former MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, who has just one 100-yard performance this season and doesn't have a touchdown in the last three games.

Tomlinson's struggles have forced quarterback Philip Rivers to step up. While Rivers has played well, the lack of a rushing attack has hurt the Chargers.

Rivers leads the league with a 108.5 rating, passing for 1,697 and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions.