More uncertainty for Big Blue
If you thought things couldn’t get worse for the Giants you were wrong.
Now they head to Chicago to play the Bears Thursday without their leading rusher, not that they have a running game anyway, and probably a starting inside linebacker who only joined the team Friday.
Coach Tom Coughlin said David Wilson, who suffered a neck injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and left the game, won’t play Thursday.
“David will be week to week,” said the coach. “He has a neck issue, so it will be week to week.”
As for the linebacker issue former Carolina Pro Bowler Joe Beason, who the Giants acquired from the Panthers after he had lost his starting job to former Giant Chase Blackburn, will likely start in place of Mark Herzlich, who has a toe injury.
Wilson, who leads the worst running attack in the NFL with 146 yards and one touchdown on 44 carries, will be replaced in the backfield by Da’Rel Scott, who the Giants released last week then resigned Monday.
That means Brandon Jacobs will be the No. 1 back for the 0-5 G-Men against a 3-2 Bears team that has lost its last two.
“Brandon had some good runs the other day and Da’Rel had some good runs when he was here,” Coughlin continued. “We have the young rookie (Michael Cox) that’s done a good job in preseason on kickoff returns, so I’m trying to project that further down the road. He did a nice job last week by the way, scout team-wise.”
The passing game is in shambles as much as the run game with Eli Manning leading the NFL with 12 interceptions and 15 sacks and only eight touchdown throws - four to Victor Cruz.
As a result, Beason, a three-time Pro Bowler, said “it’s possible” he may start on Thursday night against the Bears. Giants starting middle linebacker Mark Herzlich is nursing a toe injury and was limited in practice today.
Perry Fewell, Giants defensive coordinator announced in his weekly media session that Beason is likely to get extensive work. “We’re going to incorporate him in our defense this week,” Fewell said. “We have certain packages he’ll be involved in. Obviously, he has only been with us for a couple of days but we felt like it was important to get him involved as soon as possible.”
Beason, who will wear his old No. 52 after Giants LB Spencer Paysinger agreed to give up that uniform number to the veteran, said he is ready to play in the 4-3 as middle LB.
“I’m into the playbook heavy,” said Beason. “It’s different terminology but I’ve played football for a long time so I feel pretty comfortable. I have a vet out there (outside LB Spencer Paysinger) who has been doing it. With the both of us together, it’s definitely something I want to do.”
The 28-year old Beason, who made the Pro Bowl in 2008, ‘09 and ‘10, missed most of the last two seasons with an Achilles tear then microfracture surgery.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” claimed Beason. “It’s been a long time. I’m ready to go.”