Springs Is Recovering Well From Shin Injury

Cornerback Shawn Springs was back at practice after sitting out the opener because of a bruised shin and "looked good," Coach Jim Zorn said. "He was probably 90 percent out there. He had a nice interception today. He looked like he was moving very good on his leg."

Springs was injured last week in practice when strong-side linebacker Marcus Washington inadvertently kicked him.

"I told [Washington] he didn't want me to shine on Thursday" against the New York Giants, Springs said jokingly. "It was just an accident. It was a mistake.

"In practice, we just run to the ball really hard, and things like that happen. I'm quite sure in my career, I've probably had some friendly fire on a few teammates. If the game was on Sunday, I probably would have played. No doubt, I would have played."

Fletcher Moves Up List

Linebacker London Fletcher entered the season with the eighth-longest streak of consecutive starts in the NFL. Sunday against New Orleans, he is set to start for the 121st consecutive time -- a streak with more resonance now that New England quarterback Tom Brady, who started his 128th straight game Sunday, is out with a knee injury.

Another player ahead of Fletcher on the list, Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks -- whose 192 consecutive starts are the most among active defensive players -- suffered a strained hamstring on Sunday in New Orleans and is questionable for this weekend.

"I don't believe in luck," Fletcher said. "I believe in taking care of yourself to where, if you have some nicks and bruises and different injuries, that you make sure that you are aggressive and on top of your treatments. It's also, sometimes, guys just wanting to be out there on the field on Sundays. There are some guys who maybe have a little bit more intestinal fortitude than others."

Fletcher has played in all 161 games of his NFL career, which is now in its 11th season. The last time he didn't start was Nov. 5, 2000, when he was with St. Louis.

"I went in the very next play, so that should be an asterisk, that particular game," Fletcher said.

Kelly Practices

Zorn expressed his excitement about the return of rookie wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, who practiced yesterday.

"Good!" Zorn exclaimed. "I've got great news today. All this rest, and just the specific work he's been doing in the training room, all the rehab, has really been helping him, bringing him along.

"We're excited about it. As we work, we'll get him involved. There's no way, I don't think anybody can play both offense, defense and even special teams unless they participate."