There was an alternative to the Giants’ decision to rule out Ahmad Bradshaw for tomorrow’s game against the Falcons. But Tom Coughlin said that wouldn’t have been very smart.
“In this case,” Coughlin said yesterday, “it’s, medically, really the only wise move.”
Bradshaw’s sprained knee will keep him on the sidelines tomorrow in Atlanta, after the running back was officially ruled out yesterday. That means it’s up to rookie David Wilson, who will make his first career start, doing so in a critical Week 15 game.
Bradshaw has missed only one other game this season, in Week 3 against the Panthers, and his replacement fared well — Andre Brown rambled for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ win. Brown, though, broke his leg in Week 12. So it’s Wilson’s show.
Bradshaw sprained his knee during Sunday’s win over the Saints. He returned to the game, but didn’t practice at all this week.
“It would have been a reach for him to be ready,” Coughlin said. “With someone like that, his constitution, you have to give him every benefit of the doubt. I’m sure he’d be disappointed right now. He thinks come game day it’s all going to straighten out for him.”
Wilson is coming off a breakout performance, when he scored touchdowns on a 97-yard kick return and on runs of 6 and 52 yards, racked up four touches of at least 52 yards and rushed for 100 yards on 13 carries.
The first-round pick said he’s ready for the starting nod.
“I think I had a great week of practice,” Wilson said. “I know my assignments, and I know what to expect and just having a great week of practice and showing the coaches and building their confidence so they’re not worried and rolling in their sleep hoping that I can pull it together on Sunday.”
That all being said, Wilson will get help in the backfield. Late last month the Giants signed running backs Kregg Lumpkin and Ryan Torain. Lumpkin has played in both games since joining the team, while Torain has not been active. But with Bradshaw out, both should be on the active roster tomorrow.
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Lumpkin is in his fourth season, having also spent time with the Packers, Bucs and Seahawks. He has appeared only on third downs for the Giants and does not have a carry yet this year.
Last year with Tampa Bay, he ran for a total of 105 yards on 31 carries, though he did catch 41 passes.
“When my opportunity comes, I’ve just got to go out there and prove [I can still run],” Lumpkin said.
Lumpkin went to college at Georgia and will have 11 people at the game, including his parents. The 6-foot, 200-pound Torain, who’s been with the Broncos and Redskins in his career, has not played in a game this season. In his career, he’s rushed 238 times for 1,011 yards and six scores, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
“Been sitting out awhile,” Torain said. “Anxious to get out there and make some plays.”
The Giants have a strong history of resuscitating discarded talent — witness Domenik Hixon, Devin Thomas and Stevie Brown. Hixon, a receiver, recalled how when he joined the Giants in 2007, he made a tackle and Michael Strahan said to him, “Hey, that’s why we brought you [to the team].”
The Giants brought in Wilson, Lumpkin and Torain this season. With no Bradshaw, they’re all needed tomorrow.
mark.hale@nypost.com