Ahmad Bradshaw’s proclamation he will play Sunday at Baltimore is still on shaky ground.
The Giants welcomed wide receiver Hakeem Nicks back to practice yesterday, but Bradshaw wasn’t able to get on the field for the second day in a row because of knee and foot injuries that didn’t exactly have coach Tom Coughlin bursting with confidence.
“Well, hopefully we’ll see what it’s like [today],” Coughlin said. “If we can get some snaps then, we’ll be able to tell better.”
Even if Bradshaw can’t play against the Ravens, Coughlin has said the Giants might bring him along anyway because his forceful personality could prove useful on the sidelines after Big Blue showed no life last week in a 34-0 road loss to the Falcons.
The Giants also might be without defensive end Justin Tuck, who missed practice for the second day in a row with a shoulder injury that continues to be looked at closely by the team’s medical staff.
Tuck refused to say if he was optimistic about playing, although Coughlin sounded as if he expects the veteran lineman to be available for one of the most important games of the Giants’ season.
“I think we’ll get him some work [today],” Coughlin said after practice. “He’s feeling better every day.”
* The Giants won’t be surprised if Ray Lewis completes his improbable comeback and faces them.
Lewis has been out since October with a torn triceps, but is practicing this week. The Ravens have yet to activate him off designated in-season injured reserve, but they created a roster spot this week by putting Jameel McClain on IR and have been impressed by Lewis’ workouts.
Asked how Lewis has looked this week, Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees said: “He’s looked like Ray.”
* Coughlin said the Giants have been poring over several years of recent Colts film as well as current tape of the Ravens this week. The simple reason: Baltimore’s new offensive coordinator, Jim Caldwell, came to the Ravens after a stint as Indianapolis’ coach.
Caldwell took over this month when Baltimore abruptly fired Cam Cameron despite a 9-4 start. One of Caldwell’s priorities would seem to be getting Ray Rice the ball more instead of relying on inconsistent quarterback Joe Flacco, and the Giants think that will happen starting Sunday.
Asked how much the Ravens’ offense has changed in Caldwell’s brief tenure, Coughlin said: “He can do some things that he really believes in if they’re minimal and if he feels like they have enough practice time.”
* Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) was limited in practice again yesterday along with defensive tackle Chris Canty (neck) and safeties Kenny Phillips (knee) and Tyler Sash (hamstring), although Coughlin was upbeat about Amukamara playing Sunday.
“He’s looked good, and I hope he’ll play,” Coughlin said. “We’ll see.”