Hosley injury being treated as turf toe

The Giants s aren’t sure when cornerback Jayron Hosley hurt his right foot, but they have figured out the nature of the rookie’s injury. “They’re going to deal with this as a turf toe kind of issue,” Tom Coughlin said. “It’s a toe issue. Hopefully nothing will turn up in terms of the tests.”

The diagnosis is far better than it once seemed. After starring in the Giants’ 26-3 win over the Jets on Saturday, Hosley left the locker room with his right foot in a walking boot, saying he felt “a little something in his foot.”

A turf toe injury, therefore, was something of a relief.

Hosley was on the field for just seven plays, including a second-quarter interception of Mark Sanchez. Hosley returned that pick 77 yards, scoring the first touchdown of the game.

The third-round pick seemed to be staking his claim to the Giants’ open nickelback job, although the toe injury could slow that progress.

Turf toe injuries can nag, sometimes requiring a month or more to heal and seriously limiting players’ ability to accelerate and cut.

But Coughlin is hoping the injury won’t slow Hosley.

“It’s going to be kind of sore, no doubt,” Coughlin said.

TRACY, HERZLICH APPEAR OK

Pass-rusher Adrian Tracy left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury, and linebacker Mark Herzlich suffered a hip pointer. Coughlin said both players will be “sore,” but they must return to action quickly.

“They need to get back on the field,” the coach said, “and they both know it.”

Tracy said he exited Saturday’s game as a precaution and hopes to return to practice in a few days.

Herzlich, who is battling for a roster spot in a deep linebacking corps, said his hip pointer would not likely “be something that’s going to really keep me out a whole lot.”

SACK ATTACK

A Giants defensive line that is desperately searching for depth sacked Jets QB Tim Tebow four times in the second half.

And Coughlin was pleased with the performance of several second- and thirdteam defenders, noting good performances by rookie defensive end Adewale Ojomo, safety Will Hill, and young lineman Craig Marshall . . . Second-year wideout Jerrel Jernigan made his first two catches of the preseason on Saturday, and the coaching staff was impressed by his run-after-catch ability.