Anyone still have a copy of Madden NFL 12?
It looks as if the winless Giants are going to have hit the rewind button and hope Peyton Hillis — the cover boy of that video game heading into the 2012 season — can handle the load as their primary running back for Monday night’s game against the Vikings at MetLife Stadium.
Hillis has not done much since his breakout 2010 season with the Browns, but, after less than a week with the Giants, he will have to play a major role for his new team because Brandon Jacobs is unlikely to play.
Jacobs enjoyed a throwback performance in his last outing, running for 106 yards and two touchdowns in an Oct. 10 loss to the Bears. But he came out of that game with a balky hamstring. He downplayed the injury and was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. He suffered a setback, though, and sat out Saturday’s practice. The Giants listed Jacobs as questionable for the game, but it appears he is more doubtful than questionable and is not expected to be able to play.
A source told The Post as of Sunday night it was “a toss-up” whether Jacobs would be able to play. The source noted Tom Coughlin doesn’t like to use players who missed practice.
That means the only healthy running backs on the roster are Hillis and rookie Michael Cox. David Wilson remains out with a herniated disk in his neck.
Hillis was not in the NFL until the Giants signed him last week. On Friday, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said of Hillis, “He’s going to have to play. The injury factor has been incredible, so he’s going to play some. We’re just kind of waiting and seeing and trying to judge exactly how much he can pick up in a short period of time. Fortunately, he’s a bright guy. He’s been down in Tampa Bay, which uses our system, so he’s more familiar than the average guy would be coming into a brand-new situation.’’
It looks as if “play some’’ means “play a lot.’’ The coaching staff has been reluctant to put Cox on the field on offense, using him only on kickoff returns. Now the Giants have no choice but to use Cox, a rookie seventh-round draft pick who started his college career at Michigan and ended it at UMass.
“Again, the injury factor has caused everybody to be moved up a couple of notches in the depth chart,’’ Gilbride said. “We’re looking at him trying to get him as ready as we can.’’