Injured Umenyiora likely to miss Game 1
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora stretches after practicing with the team for the first time during training camp. (Aug. 15, 2011) Credit: AP
Tom Coughlin had been leaving the door slightly open on the possibility that Osi Umenyiora would play in the regular-season opener against the Redskins on Sunday. Monday, he pretty much dead-bolted it shut.
"A little early," the coach said of Umenyiora's ability to come back from right knee surgery Aug. 19. Umenyiora might not be ready until Week 3 against the Eagles.
Umenyiora was not on the field for the team's first regular-season practice Monday but was spotted inside the facility. The defensive end practiced three days in training camp before deciding to have arthroscopic surgery.
Umenyiora wasn't the only defensive end not practicing. Justin Tuck was on the field but did not participate in the workout because of lingering discomfort from a stinger he suffered against the Jets on Aug. 29.
Coughlin did not sound concerned about Tuck's absence, though. "He is well on his way," he said. "He feels good but . . . Wednesday would be a better day for him [to begin practicing]."
On hold
Teams always warn players that there is nothing final about the final cuts. Just because a team has trimmed its roster to 53 doesn't mean those are the 53 they will have when the games begin.
For the Giants, though, that seems to be more and more the case. They did not make any waiver claims on players cut by the other 31 teams and do not appear close to adding any significant pieces in free agency this week.
"It's our team, it's our team," Coughlin said of the current 53 players he has, "but we're constantly looking to upgrade and improve."
Giant steps
The Redskins named Rex Grossman their starting quarterback against the Giants . . . Coughlin would not commit to having Domenik Hixon return punts. The team's most sure-handed option, Hixon was kept away from the job this summer as he returned from right knee surgery . . . Coughlin said Bear Pascoe will line up more at tight end than fullback this season . . . Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said he lost close to 20 pounds this offseason and feels lighter and more athletic.
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