Tuck practices, but is limited again
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, left, tosses his helmet during the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J. (July 31, 2011) Credit: AP
Justin Tuck practiced Wednesday. But before the Hallelujah choruses begin, he was limited, the team was only in shells and not full pads, and he later told the St. Louis media that he is not definite to play against the Rams on Monday night.
Tuck described his neck as "less than 100 percent" in a conference call with Rams reporters. "We're doing everything possible to make sure I'll be out there Monday," he said. He is expected to speak with New York reporters Thursday.
Tuck looked fine in the early portion of practice open to reporters, where he participated in individual and position drills. The big test for him will be if he practices when the team is in full pads, which probably will be Thursday or Friday.
Another tea leaf to read in the Tuck saga: The Giants need to make room for wideout Brandon Stokley. If they waive defensive end Justin Trattou to the practice squad, it probably would mean that Tuck is ready to play.
Prince jogs
Prince Amukamara said it still feels "pretty weird," but was happy to be jogging for the first time since surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot last month. He said he's at or "slightly ahead" of his projected timetable, which had him missing about 10 weeks.
At that point he'll probably be thrown right into the defensive back rotation. He's had one professional practice in his life, has never covered an NFL receiver, and he could be on the field for a critical game within a month.
"I think that's going to be what the coaches are expecting, yeah," he said. "Trying to get their money's worth."
Giant steps
Rams QB Sam Bradford practiced with a bruised index finger and appears to be playing, but Giants backup QB David Carr said the index finger is the most important one to a passer. "That's the last thing to touch the ball," he said. "A lot of quarterbacks, that's their dominant finger." . . . DE Mathias Kiwanuka said the Giants won't be zeroing in on Bradford's finger in their pass rushes. "There's a line between playing tough and playing dirty," Kiwanuka said. "You just don't cross that line." . . . TE Travis Beckum (hamstring) did not practice for the Giants.
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