A BEASON TO BELIEVE
LB wants to play Sunday
Jon Beason has not ruled out playing Sunday against the Texans, saying based on the way his right foot feels, he believes he can suit up and take his place at middle linebacker for the Giants.
“I feel like I could go out there and take care of business,’’ Beason said Thursday. “I’m active in the meetings, I know the game plan, I’m still studying and preparing as if I’m playing Sunday.’’
That remains a long shot after Beason was forced out of the 2514 loss to the Cardinals with what the Giants called a toe injury to his right foot. It was the same foot he hurt back in June, when he suffered torn ligaments and a small fracture to the sesamoid bone. It has been determined this is not a new injury for Beason, but before he returns he will visit Friday with Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, N.C., who Beason saw after he was originally injured.
Beason would have preferred to see Anderson earlier in the week, but could not get an appointment.
The initial fear was Beason reinjured his foot and would be out a significant amount of time, but his progress this week has buoyed his confidence this will not be a longterm situation. He stepped on someone’s foot during the game and “felt a pop,’’ which, he said “scared me.’’
An MRI of his foot indicates the “pop’’ might have been scar tissue, which means the initial injury is healing.
“Sunday night I felt I could walk on it,’’ said Beason, who left MetLife Stadium in a walking boot, which he has since ditched. “Monday it felt a little better, Tuesday it felt drastically better.’’
In his first two games, the middle linebacker wore customized orthotics in his shoes and a steel plate in the bottom of his right shoe, all designed for extra cushioning and protection.
He has not tried to run yet because “I’ve been recommended not to until I see Dr. Anderson.”
Despite his cautious optimism, Beason is unlikely to play Sunday, leaving Jameel McClain to move into the middle linebacker spot and likely putting Spencer Paysinger in the starting lineup at outside linebacker.
Beason repeatedly mentions how much extra stress he feels in his feet playing on turf as opposed to natural grass. After this weekend’s home game on turf, the Giants have a short week before facing the Redskins at FedEx Field, a naturalgrass surface. If Beason receives medical clearance, that game probably makes more sense for his return.