Ahmad Bradshaw has played with a stress fracture in his foot before — actually played with cracked bones in both his feet — and he will have to do so again if he is to salvage his season. But the Giants’ leading rusher is highly unlikely to play Sunday against the Patriots, and that means the 264-pound bundle of contradiction known as Brandon Jacobs is going to have to carry a heavy load.
“Yeah, looks like I will get my opportunity to play more,’’ Jacobs said yesterday.
Yeah, looks that way. That the Giants will have to rely on Jacobs to get something accomplished on the ground is either a great rebirth story waiting to be written or else a bad omen the Giants are going into a fight woefully short-handed.
Can Jacobs, mired in the worst season of his career, be what he once was, an every-down running back capable of moving the chains and moving bodies out of the way as he rumbles for yards?
“If we need him in that capacity, he can be that,’’ Tom Coughlin said.
The Giants need him in that capacity. Bradshaw in last week’s 20-17 victory over the Dolphins left the field in the third quarter to have X-rays taken of his right foot but returned to play in the fourth quarter, even gaining 11 yards on a draw play. Bradshaw, diagnosed as having a stress fracture, completed that run with a damaged bone in his foot.
Bradshaw, 25, has a history of foot problems, and, in fact, has screws inserted in both his feet to stabilize bone breaks he incurred with his violent running style.
“He has had issues in the past and he has played with a crack or whatever you want to call it in his foot,’’ Coughlin said. “He has played that way in the past and we don’t know what the determination will be just yet.’’
For now, no surgery is necessary, but if it comes to that, his season will be over. An ESPN report stated Bradshaw’s injury is “not serious’’ and that he should be able to play against the Patriots. That scenario is doubtful.
“It wouldn’t surprise me, as far as I know it’s not out of the question,’’ Jacobs said. “I know he’s down right now.’’
And that means Jacobs must be up.
“I just want to go out and perform to the best of my ability and when the opportunity is presented take advantage of it,’’ Jacobs said.
Bradshaw is the team’s leading rusher with 111 carries for 440 yards and five touchdowns. He could be seen yesterday motoring around on a scooter with his right leg propped up.
Could Bradshaw actually play with a broken bone in his foot? He’s done it before. He stayed on the field in the entire second half of the 2009 season despite fractures in both feet.
“He’s a tough guy, he doesn’t know the word quit and he doesn’t know how to stop,’’ said D.J. Ware, whose role will increase with Bradshaw out, with rookie Da’Rel Scott also possibly added to the mix. “If he can play, I’m pretty sure he’ll play; if he can’t, we’ll have to rally behind him and pick up the slack.’’
This puts the Giants in a problematic spot, because they must now rely on Jacobs, the erstwhile starter who has seen his body and mind take a beating this season. Jacobs, who has not been a happy camper about his reduced role, missed two games with a swollen knee and his return last week was brutal, with a fumble and dropped pass. Jacobs was booed loudly by the fans at MetLife Stadium. On Tuesday, Jacobs said he is playing for his teammates and not the fans, and yesterday he reiterated that feeling.
“No, I wasn’t upset, that’s just playing here in New York, that’s just the way it is,’’ Jacobs said. “I play for my teammates and this team, that’s it.’’
Jacobs hasn’t gotten out of his own way this season with 42 rushing attempts for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry.
“He’s been clamoring for a chance,’’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said. “The chance is here.’’