The Giants will try to save their season this Sunday against the Cowboys with some new players in the lineup.
The team’s top two backup running backs, Ahmad Bradshaw and D.J. Ware (formerly Danny), look unlikely to suit up. Bradshaw is coming off a “severly sprained” ankle and Ware sounds like a longshot after suffering a concussion on Thanksgiving. (UPDATE: Ware has been ruled out.)
Their likely absence puts more pressure on Brandon Jacobs and Gartrell Johnson. New York’s once-vaunted running game has mediocre numbers overall, and Jacobs is struggling through his worst season since Tiki Barber left town.
While the Giants may be forced to adopt a pass-first approach on offense, they hope their defense can plug some holes.
Middle linebacker Jonathan Goff took first-team snaps during Wednesday’s practice. Chase Blackburn received two starts in place of Antonio Pierce, but it looks like Tom Coughlin is making a change and Goff will start Sunday.
A loss against Dallas would essentially knock the Giants out of the NFC East race, and put them in a very difficult position in relation to the wild card race.