The Giants finally got some positive injury news Friday when Justin Tuck returned to practice and appeared healthy enough to play in Sunday’s opener at the Redskins.
The veteran defensive lineman had been a major question mark earlier this week because of a neck issue Tuck said felt more severe than a run-of-the-mill stinger.
But Tuck was in uniform Friday morning and participated full in every drill the Giants ran during the 30-minute period open to the media. He was listed as questionable by coach Tom Coughlin.
“I am sure he was still cautious but he went out and played,” Coughlin said. “We were in shells so it was a lot of hand to hand contact but that was about it. He did go out and he did practice and he did run around. He took his snaps.”
Tuck walked away from reporters in the locker room after practice, stopping only to say he was hopeful that he would play. He also said it remains to seen what happens the next two days.
“If he was allowed to do this, he is beyond a certain point and obviously and hopefully he is going to continue,” Coughlin said. “A lot will depend on tomorrow because when you run around full speed, you are not aware and you are … around out there. It will be good to see tomorrow.”
Tuck did not practice Thursday, still feeling some after-effects of the stinger that forced him out of the Aug. 29 preseason game against the Jets.
Midway through the third quarter, the Jets were running the ball from deep inside their own territory when Tuck took on a block by tight end Dustin Keller, then was hit on the left shoulder by tackle Vladimir Ducasse.
Replays showed Tuck’s left arm immediately down at his side as he instantly motioned with his right arm that he needed to come off the field.
“I’m concerned but I’m not panicked,” Tuck said Thursday. “It hasn’t healed as fast as I would want it to, but I’m not panicked by it. It’s getting better.”
The Giants defense already heads into this game without three starters.
Cornerback Terrell Thomas and middle linebacker Jonathan Goff are out for the season and defensive end Osi Umenyiora remains out after arthroscopic knee surgery.
In addition, rookie first-round pick Prince Amukamara will miss at least the first month of the season healing from a broken foot.
*
Tight end Travis Beckum had to leave practice on Friday when his right hamstring tightened up.
The injury probably will give the starting job to free agent Jake Ballard, who spent most of last season on the Giants practice squad.
With Paul Schwartz; AP; New York Giants