Starting right tackle Jon Stinchcomb returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out the previous two workouts to rest his surgically repaired left knee.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said Stinchcomb will play Friday night in the exhibition opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

But receiver Marques Colston continues to sit out of practice, nursing his right knee that he underwent offseason surgery on. Payton said Colston will not play on Friday.

The other players who missed Thursday’s workout were: tailback Chris Ivory (foot), cornerback Tracy Porter (knee), defensive end Greg Romeus (knee) linebacker Ezra Butler (hamstring and sports hernia), offensive tackle Alex Barron (knee), linebacker Ramon Humber (quad) and linebacker Clint Ingram (hamstring).

Payton said Butler had sports hernia surgery on Wednesday and would miss three weeks, and Barron underwent surgery to repair his meniscus.

Also, receiver Adrian Arrington, who has been slowed this week by an ankle injury, returned to practice but won’t play Friday.