Amid the terrible start to this Giants season, the return of cornerback Terrell Thomas has been a back-burner story, but that does not diminish its significance.
Thomas’ comeback from two reconstructive surgeries to his right anterior cruciate ligament in a one-year span helped strengthen the defensive backfield and stands as a testament to his work ethic and resilience.
However, Thomas appeared Wednesday on the pre-practice injury report for the first time this season, listed with a knee issue. He played 26 snaps in Sunday’s 38-0 loss in Carolina and did not have to leave that game early.
Tom Coughlin said Thomas’ knee will have to be “managed’’ during each week because “the accumulation has gotten to him a little bit.’’ Thomas did not practice on Wednesday.
As opposed to last week, when there were only two players on the injury report and the Giants appeared to be remarkably healthy, this report is 10 players deep: C David Baas (neck), OL David Diehl (thumb), LB Spencer Paysinger (hip), TE Adrien Robinson (foot), G Chris Snee (hip), S Cooper Taylor (shoulder), CB Corey Webster (hip) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee).
The final player, fullback Henry Hynoski, was put on season-ending injured reserve as expected after suffering a fractured left shoulder against the Panthers.
Baas and Snee were held out of practice. Coughlin said Snee’s problem is with his right hip. Snee had offseason surgery on his left hip, and his supposedly healthy hip giving him trouble is not a good sign.
Diehl, fitted with protection for his surgically repaired thumb, practiced on a limited basis for the first time this season.
“We’ll see how far we can go with him,’’ Coughlin said.
The hope is Diehl can shake off the rust and deal with the thumb issue because the Giants need him, most likely to start at one of the guard spots.
Coughlin said Webster — who missed the 38-0 loss to the Panthers with a hip flexor injury — is feeling better, but has not yet been given medical clearance to practice.