Here’s a big boost for a struggling New Orleans Saints defense. Veteran linebacker Kaden Elliss told reporters on Thursday that he expects to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris — marking his return after missed the last three consecutive games with a calf injury.

Elliss was originally a seventh-round draft pick by New Orleans, but he developed into a quality starter in three years with the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. He returned where his NFL career started in free agency and made an immediate impact in Brandon Staley’s defense by rushing the quarterback and patrolling the second level of the field. That defense has badly missed him in home losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, as well as a narrow road win over the New York Giants where they nearly gave up a 24-point lead in the fourth quarter. Getting him back in the lineup will do a lot to help the defense return to form like we saw in the season’s opening weeks.