New York Giants will play Peyton Hillis
New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride during training camp at the Timex Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
The New York Giants have been dealing with some awful injury news at the running back position, as starter David Wilson is out for at least another month, Andre Brown was placed on the short-term I.R. before the season started, and Brandon Jacobs could miss tomorrow night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings (also, Da’Rel Scott was waived following his injury). Jacobs did not practice yesterday, is listed questionable on the injury report, and looks like a true game-time decision.
The injuries at the running back position forced the Giants to sign Peyton Hillis earlier this week, and they will have to play him at least a little bit this week. Hillis was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this season, so it’s fair to ask if Hillis has anything left in the tank. It will be interesting to see how much he does play, because Michael Cox would be the only other healthy Giants RB if Jacobs is a no-go tomorrow night. I anticipate Jacobs playing, but you never know at this point. Cox has talent, but he’s too raw to be trusted.
Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride stated that Hillis will have to play, “He’s going to have to play. The injury factor has been incredible, so he’s going to play some. We’re just kind of waiting and seeing and trying to judge exactly how much he can pick up in a short period of time. Fortunately, he’s a bright guy. He’s been down in Tampa Bay, which uses our system, so he’s more familiar than the average guy would be coming into a brand new situation. There’s a lot of nomenclature and terminology that he’s familiar with, so I think that’s going to expedite the process, but it’s still new. There are still some differences, so we’re kind of assessing it as we go, but right now he’s been impressive.”
Head coach Tom Coughlin praised Peyton Hillis earlier this week for being good at learning the playbook, and he also highlighted Hillis’s underrated hands out of the backfield. I wonder how much we’ll see him used as a pass-catcher on Monday, because he could still be used in that role if Jacobs plays.
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