BY PAUL SCHWARTZ

After sitting out last week’s victory over the 49ers with a strained quad muscle, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is slowly making strides to get back on the field.

“Kind of ease his way in,” was the way Tom Coughlin put it.

Pierce missed every practice last week but today he was going to try to do some of the individual work, with hopes of adding to his workload as the week progresses.

Left tackle David Diehl will not practice because of tightness and spasms in his back. “I think he’ll go tomorrow,” Coughlin said.

Weak side linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (knee) remains out. Receiver Plaxico Burress is experiencing stiffness in his shoulder and neck. “We’ll have to see what he can do,” Coughlin said.