It looked to be a case of one step forward and three steps back in the injury department for the Giants yesterday.
The increasing likelihood that cornerback Prince Amukamara will be able to bolster Big Blue’s struggling secondary tomorrow night at Carolina was outweighed by the equally increasing likelihood that key pieces Ahmad Bradshaw, David Diehl and Domenik Hixon will all miss the game due to injuries.
Tom Coughlin was circumspect about the exact condition of all three, but admitted the Giants (1-1) aren’t optimistic Bradshaw (neck), Diehl (knee) and Hixon (concussion) would be healthy enough to play because of the short turnaround from Sunday’s 41-34 win over the Buccaneers.
“We’re holding out hope against all odds that [Bradshaw, Diehl and Hixon] would feel better, but we’re taking it day to day,” said Coughlin.
Coughlin added it is “highly unlikely” Diehl will play and the heightened concussion rules would make it hard for Hixon to be back.
The Giants held their only full practice of the week yesterday, and the sight of Amukamara practicing was a lift to a pass defense that ranks 22nd in the NFL and now must face the dangerous Cam Newton on the road.
Amukamara, who has been sidelined since the third exhibition game because of an ankle injury, thought he was going to play against Tampa Bay but was held out that game to give him more time to heal.
Although he was limited in practice yesterday, the Giants’ No. 1 pick in 2011 worked with the starters at cornerback and said he expects to get on the field in Charlotte, even if it turns out to be in a rotation with rookie corner Jayron Hosley.
“I hope this is the week,” Amukamara said. “I feel better than I did last week, so I know that I’m progressing. I did a lot today, so it was a good workout. All the signs are good to me.”
Amukamara said he still feels pain in his ankle, however, which would only add to the challenge of facing a Carolina receiver corps led by the dangerous Steve Smith.
“I heard the pain isn’t going to go completely away for a while, but I should be good enough to do what I have to do on the field,” Amukamara said.
Hakeem Nicks also provided some positive injury news, predicting he would play against the Panthers despite missing practice yesterday after getting his surgically repaired foot stepped on Sunday. Nicks is determined to play because this is a homecoming of sorts for the former North Carolina standout.
But whatever boost Coughlin and the Giants might have felt from the positive injury news was overshadowed by the likely hits to the backfield (Bradshaw), the offensive line (Diehl) and the return game (Hixon).
Coughlin refused to get specific about the injury Bradshaw suffered against Tampa beyond saying — repeatedly — that it was “a neck.” Diehl injured his medial collateral ligament in the same game.
As a result, the Giants will be scrambling to fill holes in multiple areas.
Andre Brown likely will get the bulk of the carries if Bradshaw can’t go after the journeyman was a surprise with 71 yards and a touchdown in 13 carries against the Bucs. Rookie second-round pick David Wilson has been in Coughlin’s doghouse after a key Week 1 fumble, but the coach indicated Wilson would get more playing time tomorrow.
“I thought Andre did a nice job,” Coughlin said. “He certainly was the focal point once Ahmad came out of the game. David [Wilson] has his plays and will certainly get some more time as well.”
The Giants likely would go with Will Beatty in place of Diehl at right tackle, while Victor Cruz, Hosley or rookie Rueben Randle would get the nod in place of Hixon on punt returns.
“Sure, we’re banged up a little bit, but so is everybody else in this league,” Cruz said. “You accept it and move on, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
bhubbuch@nypost.com