On Monday, Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw made his weekly proclamation that he’ll be playing despite the sprained knee and other injuries that have plagued him this season.
Once Bradshaw makes that proclamation, it becomes time to start watching practice reports to see how he’s progressing to that goal. There hasn’t been any progress so far this week.
Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Bradshaw did not participate in practice on Thursday, making him 0-for-2 on the week. That doesn’t mean Bradshaw won’t play as he’s played without practicing in the past and the Giants obviously want him in the lineup, but neither their desires nor Bradshaw’s will factor into the final decision about his status.
“We’d all love to have him play,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in his Wednesday press conference. “But it’s going to be a medical decision, it’s not going to be mine. I think if the doctors feel that he can play without hurting himself, then I think that very well might be the case. If the doctors don’t feel that that’s possible then they’ll make the decision.”
Coughlin also said that the team would consider taking Bradshaw to Baltimore even if he can’t play, likely because they feel his personality would be a good influence on his teammates after they looked flatter than a pancake in Atlanta last week. They’d obviously prefer to have him on the field, but, given their situation, they’ll take what they can get.
The Giants were also without defensive end Justin Tuck, guard Chris Snee and center David Baas at practice for the second straight day.