Justin Pugh sounded as if he has had just about enough of sitting and watching.
The Giants’ starting left guard missed the past four games with a knee injury, a sprained MCL that has kept him off the field since Nov. 6. Asked on Tuesday how he is doing, Pugh offered a terse and immediate response.
“I’m preparing as if I’m playing this week,” he said. “Until I’m told differently, I’m preparing as if I’m playing.’’
The Giants certainly can use him. Pugh had been their top offensive lineman, and they have used Marshall Newhouse, Brett Jones and Adam Gettis as his replacements. Getting Pugh back would be a boon to the line, just in time to face the Cowboys on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
“It’s feeling good. I’m gonna push it more in practice this week because last week I didn’t get any team reps,’’ Pugh said. “See how it feels, feels good, be rocking and rolling on Sunday.’’
The last time the Giants faced the Cowboys, QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott were making their NFL debuts. Twelve games into the season, the two are the favorites for Rookie of the Year honors. The Giants won the season opener, 20-19, the only loss on the Cowboys’ 11-1 record.
“They’re definitely a better team, a more experienced quarterback,’’ LB Jonathan Casillas said. “I think that’s what it really was the first game, he was a little, he was very experienced, not a little, but he still had the poise, he still had the accuracy, he still had that confidence and the run game has gotten better.
“They figured out exactly what they want to do to teams and they’re doing it very well. Their line is always a top-five line as long as I’ve been in the NFL and they’re leaning on defenders, and this running back is finding these holes and he’s creating his own at times. They look like an 11-1 team.’’
Giants coach Ben McAdoo went on record saying he did not think any negative thoughts about Odell Beckham Jr. smiling on the sideline after Steelers receiver (and Beckham buddy) Antonio Brown caught a touchdown pass against the Giants. Eli Manning did not mind it, either.
“I think it’s just people looking for something,’’ Manning said. “I wouldn’t worry about that at all.’’
With Jason Pierre-Paul (groin) injured, the Giants signed DE Jordan Williams to their practice squad. Williams, a 2015 rookie free agent for the Jets out of Tennessee, played one game for the Dolphins last season.