Can Ahmad Bradshaw play through stress fracture?
Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs the ball against Drayton Florence #29 of the Buffalo Bills. (Oct. 16, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
The Giants' already feeble running game took another hit Thursday when it was announced that Ahmad Bradshaw suffered a stress fracture in his right foot last Sunday against the Dolphins. Bradshaw, the team's starter and leading rusher, could decide to play through his injury, as he did in 2009, when he had a stress fracture in each foot and bone spurs in his ankle. Or he could opt for what likely would be season-ending surgery. He is expected to consult with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina.
"He has had issues in the past and he has played with a crack or whatever you want to call it in his foot," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "We don't know what the determination will be just yet. We'll wait and see."
The Giants won't be able to wait long before they play the Patriots on Sunday, a game in which Bradshaw is unlikely to play. He leads the team with 440 rushing yards on 111 carries and five touchdowns. The Giants' running offense is averaging only 85.6 yards per game, 30th in the NFL.
"He is not on the practice field," Coughlin said. "As long as he is not on the practice field, the guys that are practicing are going to go out there and perform as if the responsibility will be theirs."
That means Brandon Jacobs could get his first start in almost two years Sunday. The veteran has been griping about the number of carries he's been given in recent weeks, but with his good friend Bradshaw unavailable, he'll be the next man up.
"It looks like I will get my opportunity to play more," said Jacobs, who also spoke this week about playing with a clearer mindframe. "I just want to go out and help the team as much as I can. Go out and perform to the best of my ability and when an opportunity is given to me, take advantage of it."
The Giants also seemingly will have to rely on D.J. Ware, a seldom-used fifth-year back who many believed would see an increased role in the offense when Jacobs missed two games with a knee injury last month. Ware wound up getting only nine carries (for 22 yards) in those two games. But he's more likely to play spelling Bradshaw as a third-down back than he was taking snaps from Jacobs.
"[I'm] as ready as I can be," Ware said. "I've been up early all week getting my mind right and getting ready to go. Hopefully I get more than just a little bit this time and go out there and show those guys what 2-8 is all about."
Rookie Da'Rel Scott also could find his way into the backfield as the third option for the Giants. Scott has not had any regular-season carries, but he did run for 213 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts in the preseason. He also has had success at Gillette Stadium. Against the Patriots (mostly their backups) in the preseason finale, he ran for 114 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run on a fake punt.
But that's all assuming Bradshaw is out Sunday. He has played through such an injury before. He played in eight of the final nine games in 2009 with the stress fractures and averaged 3.9 yards per carry. He's been at 4.0 while healthy this season.
"It was difficult," Jacobs said of Bradshaw's play in 2009, in which he seldom practiced and spent most of the week in protective boots to alleviate the pressure in his feet. "He did the best he could do. He showed toughness and did everything he could possibly do to be effective."
Could he do that again?
"It wouldn't surprise me," Jacobs said. "As far as I'm concerned, [Bradshaw playing on Sunday] may not be out of the question. I just know he's down right now and that's it. I just hope everything heals up good and he can get back in there."
