Jason Pierre-Paul loves to rush the passer, but he will not rush back onto the field until he is ready.
He is dealing with an injured left shoulder that kept him out of Wednesday’s practice, and he insists will do the same on Thursday.
Now for the big question: What about Sunday’s game against the Packers?
“I don’t know about the game either,’’ Pierre-Paul said. “I’m just going day by day. Once it stops hurting me, I’ll play.’’
After getting forced out in the first quarter of last Sunday’s victory over the Raiders, Pierre-Paul was able to return and finish the game. That doesn’t mean he is healthy.
Coach Tom Coughlin said of Pierre-Paul, “He’s still optimistic, and so are we.’’
But JPP didn’t sound very optimistic.
“At the end of the day, it’s my body,’’ he said. “Nobody can play for me. This is my career. Like I said, I’m going to try to get healthy as soon as possible, but I’m not going to push myself back if I can’t get back.’’
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As the Packers get ready to use Scott Tolzien — their third different starting quarterback in the past three games — the Giants go with Eli Manning for the 144th consecutive regular-season game. Durability is not something Manning enjoys speaking about. He doesn’t want to jinx anything.
“I try to work hard in the weight room and in my preparation to avoid injuries as much as possible. There’s obviously a luck aspect to it as well,’’ Manning said. “Try to be a fast healer in some things, not taking some of those awkward hits that can happen at any time.’’
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RB Brandon Jacobs (hamstring/knee), CB Corey Webster (groin/ankle), TE Bear Pascoe (ankle) and CB Terrell Thomas (knee) did not practice. Coughlin said Jacobs is expected to work on Thursday. Thomas sat out on his normal schedule of two practices a week.
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This Giants-Packers game originally was scheduled for 8:30 p.m. kickoff but was flexed to 4:25 p.m. to make way for the more attractive Broncos-Chiefs game which moved into the night slot.
“I could care less,’’ Victor Cruz said. “All we can do is play the games that are in front of us, win the games that are in front of us, and we’ll get many more prime-time games after that.’’
LB Jon Beason took a different view.
“Anytime you get flexed out of prime time, it’s a bad thing,’’ Beason said. “Everybody wants to play prime-time games, but at the same time you look at who they’re taking you off for … so you understand, but we’re hoping to do that later on this season and get that game back.’’
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LB Dan Connor, recently cut by the Giants off injured reserve, signed with the Panthers, where he started his NFL career. … LB Marcus Dowtin was signed to the practice squad, replacing S Jawanza Starling, who was signed to the Texans active roster. Dowtin previously was with the Jets, Eagles and Bills.