Chris Canty has been making his case. Now it’s Tom Coughlin’s move.
Canty, the Giants’ veteran defensive tackle, who’s eligible to come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list this week after recovering from offseason knee surgery, yesterday practiced for the second consecutive day. And, by all accounts — including Coughlin’s — Canty has looked good.
“He practiced well and he’s in very good condition,’’ Coughlin said.
Though it looks certain the Giants will open a roster spot to make room for Canty’s return (likely placing running back Da’Rel Scott on injured reserve after he had knee surgery Tuesday), Coughlin stopped short of confirming Canty’s return this week.
“His biggest challenge is he was not in training camp,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s got a week of practice, which is three hard days, but that’s it.’’
Canty has been careful not to lobby too hard for his return, saying, “As far as the game on Sunday, that’s totally in [Coughlin’s] hands.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do to get my game where I want it to be, where I can get back to performing the way I did at end of last season. My experience is definitely going to have to be something I lean on — especially early on. That experience is going to have to play a major roll getting me back into the mix as quickly as possible.’’
* LB Jacquian Williams, who suffered a knee injury Sunday, is unlikely to play Sunday, which defensive coordinator Perry Fewell called “a blow to our defense not to have his speed and aggressiveness’’ against Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Others who didn’t practice included S Kenny Phillips (knee) and DT Rocky Bernard (quadriceps).
* Players who returned to practice after not participating Wednesday were LB Michael Boley (hip), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and CB Corey Webster (hand/hamstring). They were all limited. RB Andre Brown (concussion) practiced fully.
* Backup QB David Carr and WR Jerrel Jernigan, who ran the option in high school, have been simulating Griffin’s moves in practice this week. Carr joked that teammates are calling him “RG-minus 5.’’
* The Giants have marveled at Redskins’ 15-year veteran LB London Fletcher, who Coughlin called “a tackling machine.’’
“It’s amazing how well he still plays,’’ LG Kevin Boothe said. “It seems like every time the ball is snapped, at end of the play we’re watching film you see No. 59 getting off the pile. He’s definitely someone we have to account for.It seems like he makes 20 tackles every time we play against him. “It’s amazing to see someone perform at such a high level for that many years and show no signs of slowing down and teams still have to specifically account for him every single game.’’