Brandon Jacobs listed doubtful

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 is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, and I wonder just how severe the setback he suffered in Week 6 is. It was reported earlier today that Jacobs was expected to be listed as either doubtful or out on the Giants official injury report, and the Giants are leaving a minuscule chance that Jacobs plays this week against the rival Philadelphia Eagles. He hasn’t practiced all week, and he was noncommittal on his status earlier this week. At this point in time, it would be an absolute shock to see Jacobs out there on Sunday against the Eagles, which is a real shame for the Giants.

Peyton Hillis will get his second straight start at the running back position, and I am essentially going to treat Jacobs as “out” for this game. There are rarely times when a player listed doubtful on the injury report actually plays, and Brandon Jacobs definitely doesn’t look like the next exception to that rule. Hillis does a really nice job of boosting the passing offense with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, but that’s where his advantages on Jacobs stop.

It’s clear that Brandon Jacobs is the Giants best option at the running back position, but they will have to throw a pairing of Hillis and Michael Cox out there once again. Jacobs’s future with the team is squarely in doubt, especially if Hillis plays well today. That would make Jacobs expendable, as the Giants have a bye week in Week 9 before Andre Brown is eligible to be activated in Week 10.

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