Giants defensive tackle Marvin Austin is active for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers, something that’s happened so rarely in the past three years that it’s worthy of mention.
The last meaningful game Austin played was the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl when he was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels. Austin was suspended for the entire 2010 season after violating NCAA rules and then missed all of 2011 thanks to a torn pectoral muscle. A back problem hindered him this summer and caused him to miss the opener with the Cowboys, but he’s finally made his way back into the lineup for Week Two.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara won’t be joining him. The Giants had a lot of positive things to say this week about Amukamara’s recovery from a high ankle sprain, but he’s inactive for the second straight week. Rookie Jayron Hosley will start opposite Corey Webster with Michael Coe, who started last week and left with a hamstring injury, serving as the nickel corner. The Giants secondary needs to be better this week, as does the pass rush that the Giants count on to make life easier for their defensive backs.
Linebacker Keith Rivers, who also started last week, is also inactive. Rivers missed all of last season for the Bengals and he recently told Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com that he’s rededicated himself to the game after being hurt often while in Cincinnati. He’ll keep working on that while Michael Boley gets the start this Sunday.