NFL

Brandon Jacobs out vs. Eagles

PHILADELPHIA – Brandon Jacobs made the short trip here and spent part of the pregame warmups doing his usual sparring session, hitting the padding on the goal post with lefts and rights. That was about it for Jacobs, though, as he was not active for Sunday’s game against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

This, of course, was expected. Jacobs was listed as doubtful because the strained hamstring he took out of the Oct. 10 game in Chicago, when Jacobs ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Bears. Jacobs did not play last Monday night against the Vikings and didn’t practice this week, making is a near certainty that he would miss his second consecutive game.

That means, for the second straight week, the Giants running game is in the hand of Peyton Hillis and rookie Michael Cox, the only two healthy halfbacks on the roster. Hillis was able to stay on the field for 48 offensive snaps vs. the Vikings after signing only five days earlier. He gained 36 yards (on 18 rushing attempts) and caught five passes for 45 yards and admitted his legs felt like “Jell-O.’’ The Giants will have to lean on Hillis again and also share some of the load with Cox, who was not impressive (11-23) in his first NFL action on offense.

The Giants also go in without a key defensive reserve,, as defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (knee) was inactive. Rogers has been a solid contributor in stopping the run. His absence means rookie Johnatha Hankins gets into the line rotation along with former Eagle Mike Patterson behind starters Linval Joseph and Cullen Jenkins.

The other Giants inactives: QB Ryan Nassib, RB David Wilson, CB Jayron Hosley, OL Dallas Reynolds and TE Adrien Robinson.