Carlos Emmons is in his third season with the Giants, but since last year he has spent just as much time recuperating from injuries as he has on the field.

“It’s very frustrating,” the linebacker said of his battle to stay healthy. “All of the injuries have bothered me. This one has probably been the worst. That’s why I’m itching to play so much.” After battling pectoral, ankle and knee problems last year, which limited him to just nine games, Emmons has missed much of preseason with a pinched nerve in his neck that he suffered during drills on Aug. 1.

He was finally cleared to practice and was back on the field Sunday. Yesterday he reported no issues, which was something that had concerned Tom Coughlin.

“It just felt good to be out there,” Emmons said.

He intends to play in the Giants’ last preseason game Thursday against the Patriots.

“No one knows how much I’ll play,” Emmons said. “I just need to play enough to get a good sweat [going].” It’s something he hadn’t been able to do much before Sunday.

The 11-year-veteran wanted to get out there sooner, mainly because the pinched nerve didn’t bother Emmons, like most other injuries do.

“Everything felt fine,” Emmons said. “But from sitting out like I did, now I know it’s all good.” His teammates hope the same can be said for the linebacking corps now that Emmons has returned to his weakside LB position.

“It’s real important to have him on the field with us,” said LaVar Arrington, who was signed to improve the unit on the strong side. “Carlos is a talent, so whenever you don’t have someone like that on the field with you, it hurts.” More than his physical prowess, however, Arrington said it was Emmons’ mental approach that was missed in his absence.

“He’s almost like having a coach on the field,” Arrington said. “That’s what he means to us.” As much as he has been upset to have missed time during the preseason, Emmons hopes he can avoid injury the rest of the way.

“I’ve struggled with this, but at least I haven’t missed any real games,” Emmons said. “That was much worse. I’d like to be out there now, building chemistry, but it’s not like I don’t know what I’m doing, or I’m coming in 12 weeks into the season and everyone is already going full speed. Once we’re all out there, we’ll be good.” Arrington believes that will be the case, as well.

“This is a defensive-minded team,” Arrington said. “I’ve been on teams that were more concerned with offense and at this point in my career, I don’t want to be part of starting over.

We want to get out there right from the beginning playing well and Carlos is a big part of that.” For how long remains to be seen.

“Maybe people think because of my age and some of the things that have happened that I’m breaking down,” Emmons said. “But that’s not the case.”