Giants Try to Hold Ship Together One More Week

The Giants face the Bills this week at Metlife Stadium in the last game before their bye week. Big Blue would like to go into the bye week on a positive note with a win this week. The surprising Buffalo Bills will provide many challenges to a banged up Giants squad, and some backups will again have to set up this week. The biggest reason the Giants are looking forward to a week off is to finally get some of their nicked up players healthy and back on the field.

First, is first round pick Prince Amukamara, he’s been battling a broken foot and has been limited on the practice field this week. Prince has a chance to see action after the bye week, however, it’s not known yet, when. A rookie with no training camp or practices can’t be expected to make much contribution especially right away, but he will provide depth on special teams and in the secondary. The Giants are hoping to ease Prince into the lineup and maybe make some kind of impact by the end of the season, but if this was college he would have likely redshirted this season.

Justin Tuck, defensive captain has missed the last couple games with neck and groin injuries leaving a hole on the defensive line in an already thin front. Tuck tried to play through his injuries, but it looks like he’ll be shut down until after the bye week, hopefully fully healed by then. The Giants need Tuck to come back to aid in causing havoc against opposing offenses.

Brandon Jacobs has been sidelined with a strained MCL and is unlikely to suit up this week. The Giants run game this season has been average at best, which is the backbone for their offense, with it struggling only puts more pressure on Manning. Ahmad Bradshaw has only been averaging 4 yards per carry this season and with the absence of Jacobs has limited the Giants options. It’s expected for Jacobs to be ready to go against the Dolphins after the bye week, as long as there are no setbacks in the meantime. I’d have to believe Manning and Bradshaw would love to see Jacobs back on the field when they face Miami.

Offensive line has seen some injuries as well, especially with David Baas, Chris Snee and long snapper Zak DeOssie. Baas, the big free agent signing this offseason, has played as advertised, but has missed last week with a burner and caused Kevin Boothe to fill in his spot, with mixed results. Baas returned to the practice field, but the bye would benefit him as well to return to 100%. Chris Snee, the pro bowl guard suffered a concussion against Seattle, is hoping to play this week, but it’s no certain yet if he’ll play. The Giants need Snee out there, their best offensive lineman, but if he’s not able to play, it’ll only weaken their offensive line further. DeOssie, just like Snee suffered a concussion against the Seahawks and would need to be cleared before he returns, which puts pressure on the special teams with properly snapping the ball.

Overall, the Giants, just like many teams are suffering various minor injuries that need some time to heal. The bye week is coming at a good time for the Giants, and they are hoping the extra time off will allow some of their most important players to return for the second half of the season. If the Giants want to compete for a playoff spot they’ll need as many people as possible healthy against some of the NFL elite teams.