Bradshaw (ankle) misses practice, so Jacobs ready

Tom Coughlin has said all along that even though Brandon Jacobs is a backup and not getting as many carries as Ahmad Bradshaw, it takes two running backs to get through an NFL season. That may start to become more clear to everyone.

Bradshaw, who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 129 rushing yards against the Bears last Sunday night, sat out yesterday's practice to rest his sore ankle. Although Bradshaw said he expects to return to practice Thursday and that he feels fine, it's always alarming whenever he has to miss work because of the ankle. He had surgery on the right ankle during the offseason - along with surgery on each of his feet - and spent most of the 2009 season on the sideline during practices.

"I feel good, man," Bradshaw said. "I'm going to limit myself just so I can have it 100 percent on game day."

That was what happened last year, and while Bradshaw was productive - he had 778 rushing yards and seven touchdowns - the lack of preparation during the week took its toll.

"I don't like to do that, he doesn't like to do that," Coughlin said of playing only in games. "He knows how sharp a guy he is when he's had a good week at practice."

"You get the flow in practice," Bradshaw said. "You get to see the blocking of the linemen, the flow of the linebackers. They have them flowing different ways on different plays on the practice squad. So it makes it a lot easier and you see it a lot better."

Bradshaw has not missed any practices since the start of training camp and said it was his goal to practice every day. Coughlin said he had his ankle taped and took part in the walk-through before practice and he was scheduled to be limited for the workout, but he ultimately spent the entire time on the sideline, according to the injury report.

Bradshaw has been the workhorse for the Giants' running attack, a change of responsibilities from years past when Jacobs would carry the load. Bradshaw had 163 carries last year and averaged about 84 through his first three seasons. Through four game this season he has 75. Jacobs has 26, but only 14 in the last three games.

After weeks of moodiness and miscommunication by Jacobs, the former starter did appear to run better against the Bears. He had 62 rushing yards on six carries, two of them going for more than 20. It might have taken some helmet-flinging and some hard conversations, but Jacobs appears to be back to the style of running that made him a weapon.

"I thought he ran with power," Coughlin said of Jacobs' game against the Bears. "I thought he ran hard."

If the Giants are concerned about Bradshaw's ankle injury lingering, or believe he is not as sharp without the practice time, Jacobs' carries could skyrocket. Coughlin noted a decrease in Bradshaw's ability to pick up blitzes when he misses weekday work, so Jacobs or D.J. Ware could be picking up snaps in that regard, as well.

"The instinctive reaction to what you see in front of you," Coughlin said when asked what is missing when Bradshaw does not practice. "The recognition of the blitz pickup aspect of it. The ability to relate full speed to the movement that you see on defense; you don't get any of those by standing there and watching. Your mind can be ready for it by looking at the tape but you really have to do it."

Even if Bradshaw does practice Thursday and is cleared for the game Sunday in Houston, the fact that his ankle already is becoming a factor in Week 5 should be enough to get Jacobs warming up in the bullpen.