Brandon Jacobs not practicing

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (34) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants starting running back Brandon Jacobs was ruled out of Monday night’s win against the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring injury that he initially suffered a week before in the loss to the Chicago Bears. Jacobs was initially expected to play and the injury was viewed as minor, but he suffered a setback on Saturday and was thus ruled out. The Giants had to turn to Peyton Hillis for the start, and the veteran RB was signed less than a week before the game. He showed up well as a pass-catching back (as usual), but the Giants rushing attack was inefficient. Michael Cox has promise as a backup, but he doesn’t seem close to being ready yet.

A running back duo of Peyton Hillis and Michael Cox is not a reliable one, and Brandon Jacobs is clearly the best, healthy back on the Giants roster with David Wilson out indefinitely and Andre Brown still on the short-term I.R. Jacobs was noncommittal on his Week 8 status after not practicing yesterday, and that was not a good sign.

Now, the Newark Star-Ledger’s Conor Orr reports that Brandon Jacobs was unable to practice today, and he seems unlikely for Sunday’s rivalry matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. His status is squarely up in the air, and he looks like a pure game-time decision. He could very well play at less than 100% based solely upon the Giants sheer need for him to be the No. 1 back, so keep an eye out on all updates going forward. Tomorrow’s practice status will likely decided whether or not Jacobs is able to play.

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