NFL

WITH TIME RUNNING SHORT, JACOBS NEEDED BACK

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Published Dec. 16, 2008, 7:03 a.m. ET

Seeing how their running game has devolved into chaos without Brandon Jacobs, the Giants are eager to get their bruising running back on the field for Sunday’s game against the Panthers, which shapes up as a battle for supremacy in the NFC.

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Jacobs missed the 20-8 loss to the Cowboys with an injured left knee that had bothered him since the fourth game of the season.

Coach Tom Coughlin did not make any promises that Jacobs will be available for practice when the team gets back together tomorrow, but did acknowledge that the sagging offense misses him.

“He’s a big part of it, no doubt about it,” Coughlin said. “No doubt Brandon can set a physical tone that we have responded to in a very positive way.”

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Six players were forced out of the loss to the Cowboys. RT Kareem McKenzie was sent for tests on his ailing back. LG Rich Seubert was extremely ill prior to the game, but lasted through three quarters before he was too wiped out to finish. “I have tremendous appreciation he went in and tried it,” Coughlin said of Seubert. “When I say not feeling well, that’s an understatement.”

Coughlin said LB Gerris Wilkinson and RB Reuben Droughns will not be ready to practice. Wilkinson has a medial collateral ligament injury that probably will prevent him from playing in the final two regular-season games and Droughns has a neck stinger. S Kenny Phillips experienced a mild concussion, but was feeling better and is not expected to miss any practice time. WR Sinorice Moss has a strained calf muscle and probably will miss some time.

QB Eli Manning was not injured in the game, but was knocked around for eight sacks.

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Beating the Panthers will give the Giants the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If the Giants lose, they will get the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye if they beat the Vikings in the regular-season finale in Minnesota. The Vikings can claim the No. 2 seed if they beat the Falcons on Sunday, the Panthers beat the Giants and Minnesota beats the Giants in Week 17.