When running back Rashad Jennings walked gingerly into the Giants’ locker room Monday, the limp and the knee brace were there, but so was hope. An MRI exam had revealed a sprained MCL in his left knee, an injury that will sideline Big Blue’s starting running back indefinitely but won’t require surgery.
The good news is Jennings has been assured he won’t need surgery, but the bad news is he’ll miss Sunday’s NFC East showdown against first-place Philadelphia, and is likely to miss the next week’s division game at co-leader Dallas as well, with Big Blue on a bye after that.
“I’m not a doctor. To me it looks like a whole bunch of sonograms. They said it’ll heal. It’s just got to take its course,’’ Jennings said.
When asked about the possibility of facing the Eagles, he replied: “Next week? We’ll see. Right now it’s rehab and recovery trying to get everything back to normal. … History has shown I always heal up quicker than expected. I don’t see why it’d change now.”
MCL sprains are categorized as Grade 1, 2 or 3, and Jennings was unsure which his was, but the injury generally requires two-to-four weeks of recovery time. And Eli Manning confirmed on a WFAN radio spot Jennings would miss Sunday’s game, with rookie Andre Williams stepping in.
“We’re all hoping that this young man is a fast healer with the way he conditions and takes care of himself. We’ll see,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. When pressed for a time frame, he responded: “I’m going to go day-to-day. I’m not even going to change off of that until I’m told differently.’’
While the Giants couldn’t have been any more vague about the time line, what’s clear was the news could have been worse. Jennings said he wouldn’t need an operation.
“No, I don’t. Definitely do not,’’ Jennings said. “I just looked at them and said, ‘Look, surgery or no surgery? No surgery? See you later.’ ’’
Jennings came into Sunday third in the NFL in rushing yards (341). But after a nine-carry, 47-yard first half, he got twisted in the pile following an 8-yard gain on his first carry of the second half.
“It’s frustrating. When that happens it hurts, as a player that wants to compete,’’ said Jennings. “To be out there with your teammates is something you work so hard for, dedicated so much and committed so much of your life and time to it. But it’s a part of the game. It’s just like life, you’ve got bumps and bruises that you’ve got to bounce back from. None of us have the magic wand, so it’s really how you respond to adversity. I’m going to respond in the right way.’’
That will include extra time in his hyperbaric chamber, everything from a chiropractor, massage and riding the bike. But until then, the Giants will turn to Williams. The rookie had 65 yards on 20 bruising carries Sunday, including a 3-yard touchdown, and he said he’s up for the challenge.
“Absolutely. I practice every day like I’m going to play the whole game,” Williams said. “You can’t go into a week saying, ‘Oh, I’m second string, third string, I might not play this game,’ you have to play because it’s always the next-man-up mentality,” said Williams, who — like most rookie backs — needed to improved his pass blocking, and has works diligently on his hands as well.
“I’m very confident [in him]. The other thing that he did that was great was the third-and -7 first-down run. A lot of that was on his own, outside the flank of our blockers. He was able to pick up that first down,’’ Coughlin said. “When you have a young guy, you really get into great detail even more about pass protection. He’s done a good job when he’s been in there. He’s going to have to do even better.’’
