Coach Dennis Allen said after Friday's preseason finale against the Chargers that he believes Hurst (foot) will return "sooner than later," Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.
Hurst sustained a foot injury in mid-August and was held out of Friday's matchup. It sounds as though the 30-year-old will have a chance to return to action in time for the Saints' Week 1 matchup against Atlanta on Sept. 11, which would be particularly crucial since rookie Trevor Penning sustained a toe injury Friday. Once he's healthy, Hurst is expected to serve as the Saints' starting left tackle.