Diehl likely to be back at tackle
Tackle David Diehl in preseason action against the Steelers. (Aug. 21, 2010) Credit: David Pokress
Now that the "when" of David Diehl's return is coming into focus, the "where" detail is being worked out as well.
The veteran lineman practiced for a second straight day after missing three games with a hip and hamstring injury and appears to be on track to play Sunday against the Redskins. Diehl spent most of the season starting at left tackle, but in the game against the Seahawks in which he was injured, he was bumped to guard. That led many to wonder what position Diehl would play when he was able to get back on the field.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said Diehl likely will be back at tackle unless Shawn Andrews is able to come back from his own injury.
"If Shawn gets back, that gives us a quandary or a dilemma that you'd like to have," Gilbride said. "You have two quality football players and we'll keep David inside, but until that happens, we'll probably move David back outside."
As for Andrews, who is missing his third week of practice with back troubles, Tom Coughlin said his issue is "more than muscle," a hint that there could be structural problems with his discs that need to be addressed by surgery.
Osi feeling better
Osi Umenyiora was able to forgo his usual Wednesday off and practice this week for two reasons. One was that fellow DE Dave Tollefson has been bothered by some injuries and it wasn't clear if he'd be able to practice. But the second reason was that Umenyiora simply thought he could.
"I've just been feeling better," said Umenyiora, who has been dealing with knee and hip injuries all season. "It's been the reverse for me. In the beginning, I was feeling terrible, and as the season progresses, I just started feeling like my old self."
Giant steps
CB Aaron Ross (back) practiced fully and appears on track to play Sunday . . . WR Steve Smith took a step toward returning by taking snaps with the scout team during practice. He was listed as "limited'' for the first time since he partially tore a pectoral muscle last month . . . Umenyiora said he usually isn't the kind of guy to give a rousing halftime speech the way he did Sunday against the Jaguars. The last time he did something like that? Last year's Thanksgiving game against the Broncos, when the Giants were blown out and Umenyiora was benched for the rest of the season. "That ended very, very badly," he said with a rare smile. "I try not to do that too often."
