Kiwi spotted

Guess who I saw on the practice field today.

Yup. Mathias Kiwanuka made his first public appearance since a bulging disc in his neck sidelined him almost two weeks ago. He wasn’t actually practicing, but he was riding a bike early in the workout and was doing some running and agility drills later on. It’s worth noting that he was not wearing a helmet, which players almost always do when they are on the field in any capacity. No reason to add some extra weight to his noggin, I guess.

He's probably not close to returning to actual contact and practice, and my guess is he might be ready to come back after the bye week. I asked Tom Coughlin today if the team has a timeframe for a surgery decision on Kiwanuka. He said no. So I asked if that means that the team is just in an open-ended waiting situation. Again, he said no.

Translation: I'm not telling you anything.

Anyway, that was the unexpected good news from today’s segment of practice open to the media. There were a few other good signs, but those were not surprises. Shaun O’Hara was on the field testing out his ankle for the first time since the Colts game (he tried to run on it last week and had a setback, and Tom Coughlin said he did not attempt to run yesterday but would just do individual drills today). And Ahmad Bradshaw, who did not practice until Friday last week with an ankle injury, appeared to be full-go today.

Kenny Phillips (knee) was doing a few things but will probably be limited. Keith Bulluck (toe) did not appear to be doing much.

Guys who sat out: Victor Cruz, who was inactive in the game and hurt his hamstring running on Monday; Madison Hedgecock, whose hamstring injury kept him out of the Texans game but did some running this week (not full speed); Osi Umenyiora (knee) and D.J. Ware (groin).

Coughlin said Will Beatty (foot) is coming along and PUP player Kevin Boothe could be ready to practice starting next week.