Wilson Is Out, Jacobs To Start As Giants Face Off Against Bears
By Curt Macysyn
The New York Giants will be without another significant player as the team goes to the Windy City to face the first place Chicago Bears on Thursday. This week, starting running back David Wilson has been ruled out due to a neck injury. Wilson's injury means a more significant role for veteran back Brandon Jacobs, as well as some repetitions for Da'Rel Scott, who was recently re-signed after being released last week.
The Giants have a total of seven players out for the contest against the Bears, including guard Chris Snee and cornerback Aaron Ross, who have both been placed on injured reserve. Two additional Giants are added to the injury report this week, tight end Brandon Myers and fourth receiver Louis Murphy.
The Bears come into the contest with some game-time decisions. Starting cornerback Charles Tillman may miss the contest with a knee injury, and defensive stalwart Lance Briggs has an injured foot and hip. And former Giant Martellus Bennett has a knee injury. Expect both Bennett and Briggs to play on Thursday.
New York Giants
In addition to David Wilson, the Giants will again be without center David Baas (neck), cornerback Corey Webster (groin), cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring), safety Cooper Taylor (shoulder), and tight end Adrien Robinson (foot). With the exception of Wilson, none of these players suited up last week against the Eagles.
Both linebacker Mark Herzlich (toe) and Terrell Thomas (knee) were full participants in practice on Tuesday, and both are probable to play against the Bears. Thomas will be helpful against the Bears big receivers Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall.
Defensive end Damontre Moore was nursing a shoulder injury for the first several games of the season, but now the rookie is doubtful with a hamstring pull. Also a trio of Giants are questionable with ankle injuries: tight end Brandon Myers, wide receiver Louis Murphy and defensive tackle Linval Joseph. If Myers cannot play, then Bear Pascoe will be the primary tight end. That means newly signed fullback John Conner is likely to see extended action.
If Joseph cannot play, then rookie Johnathan Hankins will get more snaps at defensive tackle. The rookie from Ohio State had five tackles against the Eagles last week. Long snapper Zak DeOssie (back), linebacker Mark Herzlich (toe) and nickel corner Terrell Thomas (knee) are all likely to play on Thursday.
Chicago Bears
Starting tight end Martellus Bennett was limited in practice with a knee injury, and the former New York Giant is questionable for the game. Linebacker and defensive leader Lance Briggs is also questionable with foot and hip issues. If Briggs can't go, the rookie Khaseem Greene (Rutgers) may get the start. And wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey, who is having a breakout year, showed up on the injury report with an ankle injury.
If for some reason Jeffrey and Bennett can't play, quarterback Jay Cutler will lose two of his three primary targets.
Defensive tackle Steven Paea has turf toe and did not play last week against the New Orleans Saints, but he indicated this week he may be ready. The Bears are already thin at defensive line since Nate Collins was placed on season ending injured reserve after tearing his ACL against New Orleans. Collins himself was replacing starter Harry Melton, who also injured his knee and was lost for the season. Corey Wootton, normally a defensive end, replaced Collins on Sunday and will likely line up at defensive tackle on Thursday.
Backup safety Anthony Wright has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
New York Giants
Probable:
- CB Terrell Thomas (Knee)
- LB Mark Herzlich (Toe)
- LS Zak DeOssie (Back)
Questionable:
- TE Brandon Myers (Ankle)
- WR Louis Murphy (Ankle)
- DT Linval Joseph (Ankle)
Doubtful:
- DE Damontre Moore (Hamstring)
Out:
- CB Jayron Hosley (Hamstring)
- TE Adrien Robinson (Foot)
- CB Corey Webster (Groin)
- OG Chris Snee (Hip-Injured Reserve)
- CB Aaron Ross (Back-Injured Reserve)
- C David Baas (Neck)
- S Cooper Taylor (Shoulder)
Chicago Bears
Probable:
- WR Alshon Jeffrey (Ankle)
- OT Eben Britten (Foot)
- OT Jermon Bushrod (Calf)
- WR Joe Anderson (Knee)
Questionable:
- TE Martellus Bennett (Knee)
- LB Lance Briggs (Foot-Hip)
- DT Stephen Paea (Toe)
- CB Charles Tillman (Knee)
Out:
- DT Nate Collins (Knee-Injured Reserve)
- S Anthony Walters (Hamstring)
For more Giants news and updates, visit Giants Central.
Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
