Wide receiver Donald Driver, who missed the last two days of practice to travel to his hometown of Houston to visit his injured father, was back on the practice field Friday at the Don Hutson Center.
Driver's father, Marvin Driver Jr., has been hospitalized since suffering injuries following his arrest Monday for outstanding traffic warrants. Family members have said those injuries came after he was beaten by two police officers.
"Right now he is doing OK," Driver said. "I sat down with my dad and talked to my dad the last couple of days, and I was just trying to get an understanding of exactly what happened. We seemed to get that understanding and right now he is doing (OK).
"The biggest thing is that he is happy right now, and he had a smile on his face when I left. He told me to get back to work, so I had to go back to work."
Head Coach Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that the team had intended to rest Driver on Wednesday and Thursday anyway as he recovered from a number of injuries, including one to his knee.
"He looked great," McCarthy said. "He had fresh legs out there today, had a heck of a practice. Professionally I'm sure the time off helped him physically.
"On a personal note, he's dealing with the situation in Houston, and it was great to have him back. I think he feels better since he had a chance to get down there and visit with everybody."
Driver participated fully in Friday's practice and is listed as probable for Monday night's game in New Orleans.
Driver has led the team in receptions (16) and receiving yards (242) over the past three games, and with five more catches will have 50 receptions in a season for the seventh time in his career, which would tie Sterling Sharpe and James Lofton in the team record books.
Grant, McCarthy honored
Running back Ryan Grant was named the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for his performance last Sunday against Chicago.
Grant posted a season-high 145 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 attempts (5.8 avg.) vs. the Bears.
"I think that is just a tribute to the guys up front and everybody around, a team effort," Grant said. "I know sometimes the backs, we get the awards, but it is something we accomplish as a team."
The award, which is voted on by fans on nfl.com, also includes a $1,000 donation by FedEx in Grant's name to the local Safe Kids USA coalition in Green Bay to support pedestrian safety efforts.
McCarthy was selected as the Motorola NFL Coach of the Week for Green Bay's win over Chicago. He was chosen by voters on nfl.com, with New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini and 49ers head coach Mike Singletary the other two finalists.
This was the second time this season McCarthy won the award, with the previous honor coming after the Packers ' Week 7 win over Indianapolis.
Welcome home
When the Saints run out onto the field at the Superdome on Monday night, 42 days will have passed since their last home game in New Orleans.
The Saints were the home team for their Oct. 26 game against San Diego, but that game was played in London. The Saints played at Carolina Oct. 19, followed by the game overseas, and then had their bye and back-to-back road games.
The Saints last played at the Superdome on Oct. 12, a 34-3 blowout win over the Oakland Raiders.
"Obviously we're really excited to get back home," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "The fans are excited, Monday Night Football and all of those things. This is a point in the season, and obviously the Packers are in the same situation, 5-5, and there are teams ahead of us that are 6-4, 7-3.
"We're all at this point now where it's time to make the push. The good teams are really going to separate themselves from the rest of the pack right now, and obviously we want to be one of those teams."
{sportsad300}Injury/participation update
Linebacker Nick Barnett is out for Monday night's game.
Wide receiver James Jones (knee) and running back DeShawn Wynn (calf) were added to the injury report on Friday. Both are questionable.
McCarthy said Jones had a setback with his knee, and that he would test the injury Saturday.
Cornerback Jarrett Bush (ankle) and safety Charlie Peprah (calf) are also questionable for Monday.
McCarthy said even though Bush played Sunday against Chicago, the team gave him three days to rest, and he will test the injury Saturday.
In addition to Driver, Chad Clifton (knees), center Scott Wells (shoulder), defensive tackle Colin Cole (elbow), cornerback Charles Woodson (toe), and defensive ends Aaron Kampman (calf) and Jeremy Thompson (groin) are all probable.
For the Saints, fullback Mike Karney and cornerback Aaron Glenn are out for Monday.
Running back Reggie Bush (knee) did not participate in Friday's practice and is questionable.
Wide receiver Marques Colston (knee), center Jonathan Goodwin (knee), running back Deuce McAllister and tackle Jon Stinchcomb (calf) are probable.
