DE Justin Tuck questionable; says he will play

According to the Giants' official injury report, defensive end Justin Tuck is questionable with a shoulder injury that he said is different but still related to his offseason shoulder surgery. However, Tuck said there is no question in his mind that he will line up Sunday against Tennessee at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Tuck was in uniform but did not participate in practice as a precatuion. "I just woke up stiff, and coach said, 'We know what you can do. You know the defense. Sit down.'"

He admitted the injury is to the same shoulder he hurt last year. Tuck said he's felt some pain even before Sunday's loss to the Colts in Indianapolis, but he aggravated it in that game, and it affected his play a little bit.

After last season, Tuck admitted he was bothered by his shoulder most of the season while trying to play through the pain before it was operated on in the offseason. Asked if this might be a similar situation, he said, "I'll be able to answer that question after the game. It's different. Last year, I was injured. This year, it's just hurting."

The concern, of course, is that the pain Tuck is feeling now could linger and possibly grow worse over the course of a season that has 14 games remaining. "Maybe," he admitted. "The thing I've got to do is a great job of communicating when I'm feeling something and not try to be a hero every day. That can get you in trouble in this league. You've got to get your treatment. You get bumps and bruises, but you have to be wise enough to take care of them when they happen and that's where I have to do a better job."

With the Giants' leadership in question after their 38-14 loss to the Colts, the defensive captain was asked if playing through pain this Sunday might demonstrate his leadership. Tuck smiled and said, "I don't know. If that's the case, I've been a leader for a long time."

Here's the full injury report for the Titans game:

Out -- S Michael Johnson (back), LB Phillip Dillard (hamstring), OT Will Beatty (foot).
Doubtful -- C Shaun O'Hara (ankle/Achilles).
Questionable -- DE Justin Tuck (shoulder), LB Chase Blackburn (knee).
Probable -- TE Kevin Boss (concussion), WR Mario Manningham (illness), CB Aaron Ross (foot).