For the first time since he hurt his back and aggravated his sciatic nerve, Will Beatty’s name yesterday did not appear on the Giants’ injury report. As a result, he was a full participant in practice.
If coach Tom Coughlin is anxious to insert Beatty into the starting lineup he is sure being coy about it.
Asked if Beatty could start on Sunday against the Buccaneers, Coughlin said “We’ll see how fast he comes.’’ Asked if it is Beatty’s starting job once he proves he’s healthy, Coughlin said “We’ll see.’’
In the season opener, Beatty served as the jumbo tackle, a specialty assignment used only when the Giants opt for an extra blocker on the line of scrimmage. Veteran Sean Locklear started at left tackle. Beatty said he is ready to reclaim what once was his.
“The only thing I can do is show them I’m ready so when I do get the go-ahead it’s not, ‘Oh, can ye do it?’ ’’ Beatty said. “I’m gonna go in there like I never left. It’s that attitude you have to keep. Not ‘Oh this is my first game and how am I gonna do?’ That just clouds your mind and gets you off task.’’
* CB Prince Amukamara said he took about 50 percent of the snaps as he attempts to come back from a high ankle sprain. He said he plans to play Sunday but doesn’t want to be impaired. “I don’t want to play with a limp so if I’m limping out there I’m going to be a target,’’ he said. “I’m going to be a target out there any ways but the offensive coordinators, they’re still gonna smell blood.’’
* Informed that Justin Tuck said since the loss to the Cowboys he’s had trouble sleeping, Coughlin said, “None of us has slept well. I hope the whole room is full of people that didn’t sleep well. That’s the point.’’ … Coughlin said he and his coaching staff studied Rutgers film from last season to get a handle on what Greg Schiano will do in his first year as the Bucs coach.
* Hakeem Nicks did not practice, as he rested his surgically repaired foot in what likely will be a weekly occurrence for him. “I’m gonna be full speed come game time,’’ said Nicks, who added he will practice today. …CB Michael Coe (hamstring) was limited in practice.
… Ronde Barber, in his 16th season with the Bucs, has moved to safety and said he hopes his twin brother Tiki’s fractured relationship with Giants fans will wane. “He’ll bounce back, hopefully onto the good side of that relationship sooner or later,’’ Ronde said.
* Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith was fined $15,750 for his horse-collar tackle of Michael Boley in the opener, a tackle that cost the Giants a touchdown.