Updated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011

(CBS) Brian Urlacher returned to Halas Hall Thursday after the sudden death of his mother Monday and the middle linebacker intends to play against the Saints in New Orleans Sunday, according to Chicago Tribune beat writer and 670 The Score contributor Brad Biggs.

“I was told by someone late last night that Brian definitely intends and plans to play to in the game Sunday,” Biggs said on The Mully and Hanley Show Thursday.

LISTEN: Brad Biggs on The Mully and Hanley Show

670 The Score’s Zach Zaidman reported on Twitter that Brian Urlacher was back at Halas Hall in Lake Forest Thursday.

Brian Urlacher is at Halas Hall today—
Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) September 15, 2011

Biggs said that same source told him the funeral was planned for Saturday, but he could not confirm that. If it is Saturday, Biggs said Urlacher would likely take a private plane to New Orleans to make the game.

“If there is anyone on that team and on that defense that is capable of missing a week of work and showing up and putting the shoulder pads on and playing a game, it’s Brian Urlacher,” Biggs said.

If Urlacher misses the game, Nick Roach would likely move over to the middle and Brian Iwuh would fill in on the outside.

http://twitter.com/#!/BradBiggs/status/114173238371811328