Osi returns to practice for Giants

Bye-bye bike.

Osi Umenyiora's days of pedaling on the stationary bicycle reserved for injured players came to an end Wednesday when he participated in his first practice since knee surgery in mid-August. The defensive end seemed to be taking part in all aspects of the workout. "There will be [limitations], but he's out there," Tom Coughlin said before practice. "I don't think he thinks of it as any kind of limitation."

It's still unclear whether Umenyiora will be able to play against the Cardinals on Sunday. A lot will depend on how his knee reacts to Wednesday's efforts. If there is significant swelling, his return could be slowed.

One thing is clear: Whenever Umenyiora comes back it will be as a starting defensive end. Jason Pierre-Paul, who leads the team with 4 1/2 sacks, said he'll happily hand the job back to Umenyiora.

"It's cool," Pierre-Paul said. "The way I play, when they put me in, I'm going to get a sack regardless. It's not if you start. You can come off the bench and you can do the same thing."

Tuck sits out

Defensive end Justin Tuck did not practice because of neck and groin injuries, but the Giants do not seem concerned about him missing Sunday's game in Arizona. "He's made good progress both days [Monday and Tuesday], so we're encouraged by that part," Coughlin said.

Also, Mario Manningham was cleared to return to practice after sitting out last week with a concussion and expects to play Sunday.

Giant steps

WR Brandon Stokley left practice early with a quad injury . . . He was not on the injury report for the first time this season, but TE Travis Beckum (hamstring) said he is not 100 percent healthy.