NFL teams
Associated Press 9y

Giants offensive line gets some good news with Jets on tap

NFL, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants might have their offensive line ready to play in the annual preseason game against the Jets.

Coach Tom Coughlin on Thursday said that starting right tackle Marshall Newhouse was not injured when a defender stepped on his left ankle in practice on Wednesday and that center Weston Richburg's left knee is improving after missing a couple of days with tendinitis.

Coughlin expects Newhouse will play on Saturday, but was not sure whether Richburg will be able to play or backup center Dallas Reynolds will go.

It's much better news than anyone expected a day later. Newhouse, who was signed as a free agent, went down in pain after a linebacker stepped on his ankle late in the practice. He was treated on the sideline before limping to the locker room after the workout.

"I got stepped on while engaged in a block and went down," Newhouse said. "It was scary for a second but all is well."

Veteran Geoff Schwartz, who has rotated at guard and tackle on the right side, probably would get the start if Newhouse does not play.

"I consider myself a starter," Schwartz said. "I was brought in to be a starter and I am preparing to be a starter."

Richburg, who moved from guard to center this season, missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, and seemed unlikely to play.

"We're trying to figure out how we can eliminate this problem before the season rolls around and the games actually count and it's for real," Richburg said.

Richburg said the key is to find a way to manage the soreness and occasional swelling. He added that if this were a regular season game he would have practiced this week.

In his absence, Reynolds has been snapping to Eli Manning. The four-year veteran has appeared in 34 games, making 14 starts early in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in 15 games with the Giants last season.

The rest of the line is healthy. John Jerry will start at right guard with rookie Ereck Flowers at left tackle and Justin Pugh at left guard.

The Giants' first-team offense has been limited to a field goal in seven series in the first two preseason games.

"We need to come out and play well as a team," Schwartz said. "That includes execution, scoring points. Being the third game, we game-planned all week. We need to tie everything together and get ourselves going, get some momentum going."

Game notes
Receiver Victor Cruz (calf) will not play against the Jets. ... Rookie safety Landon Collins is expected to play. He missed the Jaguars game last weekend after spraining a knee against the Bengals in the preseason opener. ... Second-year safety Nat Berhe aggravated a calf injury and is out again ... Cornerback Prince Amukamara said his groin has healed and he expects to make his preseason debut Saturday.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

^ Back to Top ^