The Giants had been waiting to see the big plays, the jet-on-runway acceleration, outrageous moves that break ankles of those trying to catch David Wilson. They saw it all in last week’s rout of the Saints.
As much as they liked the view, what happens next is even more important and unproven. With Ahmad Bradshaw ailing and his availability for Sunday’s game against the Falcons in Atlanta very much in doubt, the ball will be put in Wilson’s hands more than ever before. What he does with it when the game slows down and the holes start to shrink could determine if the Giants stay in or fall from first place in the NFC East.
The going is about to get tougher for Wilson.
“That’s when you just be a football player and you just react,’’ Wilson said yesterday. “When that happens I won’t have a problem getting the tough yards.’’
Wilson may have to get the easy yards, the tough yards and everything in between. Bradshaw came out of the Sunday’s game with what the Giants are calling a sprained left knee. He didn’t practice yesterday and there is no time frame for his return. Coach Tom Coughlin cited Bradshaw’s toughness dealing with — and returning from — physical issues, but the starting running back does have an injury and it appears he is a long-shot to be able to shake it off in time to play in the Georgia Dome.
“I’m not going to speculate because of the toughness of this young man on how long it would be,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s very positive about it. He definitely wants to get back as fast as he can.
“I’m not going to rule him out of anything I’m not going to talk about the percentages or anything like that. You can speculate on that.’’
Sprained knees and running backs do not mix very well. Bradshaw has been dealing with foot issues most of the season and he hurt his knee in the first half while standing his ground in pass protection. Revered inside the Giants locker room for his toughness, Bradshaw forced his way back onto the field and finished the game.
“The other day, for example, when he did injure the knee, he got it taped and went back in, [and] he had three straight what amounted to short-yardage runs in a row to make a key first down,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s a tough son of a gun. I say that with admiration.’’
With Bradshaw limited or out of action, the Giants turn to the rookie who last week turned into a sensation, mainly for his work on kickoff returns — four returns for 227 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown — that won him the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. Tucked inside that feat was his first 100-yard rushing game in the NFL.
The only other halfbacks on the roster are Kregg Lumpkin and Ryan Torain, recent additions.
“You have to have the two other young men ready to go as well,’’ Coughlin said.
Wilson was buried on the offensive depth chart for the first 10 games, until Andre Brown broke his leg in the victory over the Packers. Wilson had a total of 111 rushing yards all season until his 100-yard eruption, scoring on a 52-yard run through the gasping Saints defense.
“Just gave me more confidence that if need be I could go in and be productive for my team because the season is narrowing down,’’ Wilson said. “With Ahmad a little bit banged up, even if he is playing they won’t want to keep him in there and keep getting him banged up. It will be a rotation-type thing and having a successful game last week does give me confidence.’’
Justin Tuck called Wilson’s performance “One of the most impressive games I’ve seen, especially from a rookie,’’ adding, “Without him we don’t win that game on Sunday.’’ Now the Giants look to win another game on another Sunday, likely without Bradshaw.
“I hope that we get Ahmad back, because that guy is a workhorse and I think the heart of our offense when he’s healthy,’’ Tuck said. “But if not, we’re going to need Wilson to step up and whoever is behind him to step up.”