Giant O-line gets some good news
Maybe the Giants’ offensive line will be healthy enough to holds its own against the Jets after all. On Wednesday, the beleaguered unit received good news, when center Weston Richburg (high ankle sprain) and left guard Justin Pugh (concussion) both returned to practice in limited sessions. It was enough to lead Tom Coughlin to express cautious optimism that both players might be ready to play against the Jets.
“The hope is that they both make it,” he said. “Whether that’s realistic, I’ll let you know.”
Pugh seems to have the better shot. He missed most of November with headaches and dizziness, but his return to practice meant he had cleared the league’s concussion protocol. He seemed active in practice, too.
Richburg’ status remains more uncertain. The second-year center practiced for the first time since last Wednesday, when he was able to do very little. He called this Wednesday’s session “much better,” though, adding that he was “pretty encouraged.”
“I did quite a bit more than I did last week,” he said. “It was very positive.”
Even if Richburg and Pugh do return, the line could still face questions. Right tackle Marshall Newhouse, the lone lineman on track to start all 16 games this season, sat out with a back injury and was replaced by rookie Bobby Hart.
RIVALRY TALK
For a third straight day, the Giants tried to convince a city that knows better that Sunday’s game against the crosstown Jets, the first Giants-Jets game since Rex Ryan tried to cover the Giants’ Super Bowl mural in MetLife Stadium, somehow, isn’t part of a “rivalry.” Yes, really. “It’s not a rivalry,” blurted out defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Eli Manning claimed he couldn’t even remember how many times he’s played Gang Green.
“This is the third time I’ve played them,” he said. “Or maybe the fourth time.”
For the record, it’s three.
PAIN IN THE NECK
Giants tight end Larry Donnell continued to sit out practice on Wednesday to deal with the neck injury that’s nagged him for more than a month, and with five games to go, his chances of suiting up are growing increasingly slim.
Donnell has not played since the Week 8 loss in New Orleans, and he’s managed to practice just once in that span. But he insisted there’s “still some hope” of a return in 2015. He said it will be a few weeks before a follow-up MRI.
“It’s still a possibility,” he said. “When it feels like it’s good enough to go without hurting myself (I’ll play).”
TAKE A SEAT
LB Devon Kennard (hamstring/ foot) was limited, as was DE Robert Ayers (toe). ... S Brandon Meriweather (knee) did not practice. ... DE Jason Pierre-Paul (hand) was a full practice participant. ... Eli Manning was named the Giants’ nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given for excellence on the field and in the community.