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ESPN Staff Writer- Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has a cracked bone in his foot, but it's not clear if it will keep him out of action.
A source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that the injury is not considered serious and that Bradshaw "should play Sunday" against the Patriots. The source said that surgery will not be necessary, and coach Tom Coughlin said no decision has been made regarding the need for surgery at some point.
Coughlin would not say if Bradshaw would try to play on Sunday. He left open the possibility that Bradshaw would seek a second opinion on the injury.
"In the past he's played with a crack, or whatever you want to call it, a stress crack in his foot, he has played that way in the past," Coughlin said. "I don't know what the determination will be just yet. We will just have to wait and see ... what the doctors decide to do."
Coughlin noted that the players participating in practice will play Sunday.
"Well, he is not on the practice field," Coughlin said. "As long as he is not on the practice field, the guys that are out there will perform as if the responsibility will be theirs."
Bradshaw originally suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Giants' win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. He returned to the game in the fourth quarter. X-rays after the game showed no structural damage and Bradshaw believed it was nothing serious.
"I got a screw in my right fifth metatarsal two Februarys ago and I think the head of it is just aggravated right now," Bradshaw said after Sunday's game. "I think it will be fine."
In the past, Bradshaw has been able to play on Sundays despite missing practice time during the week due to foot injuries. The fifth-year running back developed a crack in the fifth metatarsal bone of each foot in 2009 but played through the pain to rush for 778 yards in 15 games. He had offseason surgery to put a screw in each foot, as well as to repair bone spurs from his right ankle.
He returned in 2010 and ran for a career-high 1,235 yards and eight touchdowns.
If Bradshaw can't play in Sunday's game against New England, embattled back Brandon Jacobs will get the start.
Jacobs was booed last Sunday at home after running for just 10 yards on four carries. He dropped a pass and fumbled early in the game against the Dolphins, just days after complaining in a magazine article about his role on the Giants.
On Tuesday, Jacobs said the boos didn't bother him. He also believes fans will see a new Jacobs for the rest of the season, starting with the New England game.
"You're going to see a change, man. You're going to see a change," Jacobs said.
The running back believes that there is a chance that Bradshaw can play Sunday.
"It may not be out of the question as far as I know. I just know he's down right now and that's it. I just hope everything heals up good and he gets back out here," Jacobs said.
Bradshaw's injury was first reported by the Newark Star-Ledger.
Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Ian Begley is a frequent contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.