The status of one of the Giants top receivers is uncertain this week, as Mario Manningham sat out practice Wednesday because of a concussion he presumably suffered late in last Sunday’s loss to the Titans.
“We’re a little bit surprised there’s an issue here,” Tom Coughlin said.
The surprise comes because Manningham did not report any problems immediately following the game.
“The nature of it, I guess, was late Sunday night when he contacted people in the training room,” Coughlin said. “He really appeared to be fine Monday when we saw him. We didn’t expect there to be any slowdown today in practice. There was. He’ll be tested again and we’ll see how that comes out.”
Manningham experienced discomfort during the early walk-through portion of practice and then was held out. If Manningham is unavailable this weekend, Victor Cruz and Ramses Barden move up in the pecking order. Coughlin indicated Cruz is in line to move into Manningham’s No. 3 receiver spot and took that spot during practice.
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– C Shaun O’Hara isn’t going to make it back this week. He’s still wearing a boot on his left foot and the ankle/Achilles issue he’s dealing with isn’t going away. Coughlin Tuesday said “I was hoping initially it would be a two-week period” but “now I’m not sure what it is.” Adam Koets started at center last week vs. the Titans and he will start again on Sunday vs. the Bears.
– New to the injury report: LB Keith Bulluck (toe) and DT Rocky Bernard (back). Both missed practice Wednesday and Coughlin is hoping both can return Thursday.
– CB Brian Jackson, signed off the practice squad to replace safety Michael Johnson (on injured reserve with a herniated disk in his back), will fill prominent roles on special teams and could move in immediately as a gunner.
“I’m very interested in watching Brian,” Coughlin said.
– Devin Hester this past Sunday night brought a punt return back for a touchdown for the first time in three years and Hester next takes aim on the Giants. Coughlin said the plan is to try to get rookie punter Matt Dodge to work this week on directional punting, which figures to be quite challenging, considering any punts by Dodge have been an adventure.
Asked for the strategy against Hester, Coughlin said “Kick it out of bounds, don’t let him have the ball.”
That was a sound approach when Jeff Feagles was knocking it to the sideline but Dodge has shown no ability to put the ball where he wants it.
“There’s some progress there,” Coughlin said. “It’s not easy for a young guy. We’re going to work on that this week.”
– Kick returner Darius Reynaud was not at practice; Aaron Ross and Antrel Rolle fielded punts.
– CB Michael Coe, cut this week by the Jaguars, was signed to the practice squad. This is Coe’s second stay on the Giants practice squad.
