Giants concussion updates: Ross, Ware
Even with their fearsome pass rush healthy and fully operational, the New York Giants would prefer to have a healthy secondary for Sunday’s playoff game against the defending champion Packers in Green Bay. Starting cornerback Aaron Ross left Sunday’s victory over Atlanta with a concussion, which by definition means there’s a question about whether he can play against the Packers. Giants defensive end Justin Tuck told reporters in East Rutherford, N.J., today “he’ll play” in reference to a question about what losing Ross would mean to the defense, but Tuck is not a doctor and therefore doesn’t get to decide that.
2012 NFL Postseason
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Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Ross and running back D.J. Ware, who also left Sunday’s game with a concussion, are being evaluated and treated according to the NFL’s procedures for treating concussions. That means it’s kind of out of the hands of Ross, Ware, the Giants and even Tuck whether those players can play Sunday. The NFL requires players who have suffered concussions to be cleared by an independent neurologist and to pass various tests throughout the week before being cleared to practice or play.
So, because these are concussions, and not muscle pulls, it’s too early to know whether Ross or Ware will be able to play against the Packers or even practice in advance of the game. By rule, these are not the kinds of injuries the league will allow a player to tough it out and play through — even if it is the playoffs.
If Ross can’t go, that likely means more action for rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara, who missed the first half of the season with a foot injury and has struggled since returning. If Ware can’t go, that leaves the Giants a little bit thin at running back, and Ware has been a guy they’ve used in the screen game in recent weeks. But they’d just ask running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to do a little bit more, which neither would mind at this point.