METAIRIE -- Saints starting defensive tackle Brian Young, who has missed four games with a knee injury, practiced Wednesday and is set to return for Sunday's crucial NFC South matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NewOrleansSaints.com

Brian Young.

Reggie Bush sat out portions of practice as he did last week with a bruised left shin, but is expected to play.

Young's return could help, depending on how quickly he regains his early season form, when he was briefly the team leader in sacks with three.

"There's no real pain sensation in my knee right now. It's just a matter of getting the strength and endurance back and having to get used to wearing a brace," Young said. "I think I'll be fine. ... It's been amazing how quick it's healed and how little problems I've had with it."

Young first began to have left knee swelling after the Saints defeated Atlanta in Week 7 of the season. He had fluid drained and played in Week 8 at San Francisco, where he got his third sack. He was unable to play the following week against Jacksonville, however, and elected to undergo arthroscopic surgery.

Young said he wasn't able to start running until late last week, but ran for more than four hours both on Friday and Monday before being cleared to return to practice.

Now in his eighth NFL season, Young said he has never missed four straight games in his career.

"That aspect has been difficult for me to deal with," Young said. "I know my wife hasn't been happy with me because I've been a real (pain) around the house."

Young, who also missed most of training camp with a broken foot, is now second on the team in sacks behind defensive end Will Smith, who has four.

"Any time you can get a starter back, it's certainly a help," head coach Sean Payton said. "We're counting on him this week. He gives you a good pass rush."

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