Perhaps it was the holiday season. Tom Coughlin was in a good mood this afternoon following practice despite offering up some less-than-encouraging news regarding injuries to several of his hurting players.

Five players did not practice, although running back Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to play Sunday against the Panthers. Of the other four players, the only one Coughlin sounded mildly optimistic about was left guard Rich Seubert, who was forced out of Monday night’s game in Washington with a sprained knee.

“He’s going to gut it — you know he’s going to make every effort,” Coughlin said of Seubert.

As far as the others, not so good.

Asked about cornerback Corey Webster — who did not play vs. the Redskins because of a sprained knee — Coughlin said “Maybe something will happen here at Christmas,” sounding as if he was hoping for a miracle.

Cornerback Aaron Ross (hamstring) is not going to be able to play, although Coughlin said a recent MRI did not reveal any new damage. Right tackle Kareem McKenzie is making “a little progress” but he is not ready to return after missing the last game with a knee injury.

Once again, the Giants will go to battle without two cornerbacks, continuing the injury woes of the defensive backfield. “I haven’t felt snake-bit,” Coughlin said, “but it certainly is frustrating not to have people playing their positions.”

K Lawrence Tynes has a slight issue with his right hamstring but he was able to kick without any difficulty.