NFL

Webster ruled out, Ross to start for Giants at corner

The Giants began their work week looking remarkably healthy, a development that was brought to the attention of coach Tom Coughlin, who was understandably pleased.

“I hope it helps,’’ Coughlin said. “I hope it pays off. This is what you’re after. You’d like to be able to have a full menu every week. Perhaps we’ll have some good choices to make at the end of the week.’’

By “good choices,’’ Coughlin meant he was hoping to have nearly a full, healthy roster to pick from when it came time to determining who was active and who was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Coughlin, though, added this caveat: “This may be a week where, God willing, we have a good week of practice, everyone stays on their feet without getting in any trouble in that regard and perhaps that will happen.’’

Well, it didn’t happen. Cornerback Corey Webster practiced on Wednesday but not Thursday or Friday because of a hip flexor injury and was ominously listed as doubtful to play in the game. On Saturday, his status was downgraded to “out’’ and he did not even make the trip to Charlotte, N.C. with the team. Webster had started 38 consecutive games dating back to 2010.

This means reserve Aaron Ross, a former starter for the Giants before last season’s one-year defection to play for the Jaguars, moves into the starting lineup, the first time with the Giants since starting Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Ross was re-signed as a veteran presence in the secondary but after a strong summer he hasn’t received much work in the defensive backfield. He did not get a single snap on defense in last week’s 41-23 loss to the Broncos. Now he’s elevated into a starting role at cornerback, opposite Prince Amukamara.

In addition to Webster, the only other players not on the trip were OL David Diehl (thumb) and TE Adrien Robinson (foot).