Giants Blog: Black And Blue

By Paul Dottino

ALBANY, N.Y. – Leave it to Giants coach Tom Coughlin to find a silver lining with nearly a dozen regulars nicked up and unlikely to play in Monday's preseason opener against the Jets.

Coughlin says it'll be a great chance for many of the inexperienced players in camp to try to work their way up the depth chart, specifically on special teams. Rookie Matt Dodge is the only punter in camp and he's been holding for veteran kicker Lawrence Tynes, who's hit more than 90 percent of his field goals this summer, but the return game remains wide open.

RB Danny "D.J." Ware will get the first shot at kickoff returns, with fellow RB Andre Brown and rookie WR Victor Cruz also in the mix, Coughlin said. You can expect to see Cruz and CB Aaron Ross among those who might get a chance to return punts.

Coughlin also did not rule out Rhett Bomar competing with Jim Sorgi for the backup quarterback job, saying both will take snaps this week and their final slots haven't been determined even though Bomar's been working as the No. 3 passer throughout camp.

• Rookie WR Tim Brown (hamstring/groin) and RG Chris Snee (swollen leg) were the only two players absent from the morning session and were getting treatment, Coughlin said, although neither sounded to be very serious. Snee said he was "getting better" and "we'll see" if he's allowed to practice next week.
• Cruz had a very difficult time handling punt returns for the second straight day, although Coughlin insists he'd like to see how well he does under game conditions.
• Right CB Terrell Thomas (wrap on cramped right leg) didn't appear concerned with his injury and he was able to take part in several snaps during the session. He was replaced by D.J. Johnson while Ross worked at left corner (with Corey Webster out because of a sore glut).
• The first-team offensive line against the Jets, given the injuries, shapes up to be LT William Beatty, LG David Diehl, C Shaun O'Hara, RG Guy Whimper and RT Kareem McKenzie.
• DE Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora continued to split reps on the right side.