New York Giants’ Mark Herzlich to miss game against Atlanta Falcons, Justin Tuck misses practice–NFL
Bad news for the New York Giants on Friday, January 6, 2012, when Coach Tom Coughlin confirmed that their linebacker, Mark Herzlich, will miss the next game against Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, owing to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, defensive captain, Justin Tuck, also missed practice due to a sore shoulder. However, he is expected to participate in the playoff game this weekend.
Herzlich, who is playing in his rookie year, did not practise throughout the whole week.
After Friday’s practice, Coughlin announced that the linebacker will miss his sixth straight game.
Herzlich started two games in the regular season while playing 11, and has 12 tackles to his name.
On the other hand, Tuck’s absence from the practice has surprised everyone. He has been dealing with different injuries throughout the season and missed a few games as well.
He started 11 games while playing 12 and registered 37 tackles and 5.0 sacks. His absence from the crucial game is unlikely, but if the injury persists, it will be a huge blow for the Giants, who are up against a tough defensive line.
When asked about how he felt about Tuck’s injury, Tom Coughlin seemed unbothered and said that it is not going to affect the player’s performance against Falcons.
All the other players showed up on Friday and participated in a complete workout.
Apart from Tuck, the Giants still have six players who are listed as probable on their injury report.
They include cornerback, Corey Webster, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, and running backs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Da’Rel Scott, who are dealing with foot and knee injuries, respectively.
Tight end, Jake Ballard, offensive lineman, Tony Ugoh, and defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, are also dealing with knee, ankle and ankle-knee injuries, respectively.
Meanwhile, Coughlin has expressed satisfaction over the improving Giants’ defence.
He praised the game-play tactics adopted by the defensive line in the last two games and hoped that the team would build on its performance.
“I think it is a combination. We are playing better run defence and it is a focus, it is something that is a high priority against the teams that we are playing. We scheme a little bit to get it done and we also have risen up and done a good job one-on-one.
I think if you have seen both games, you will see little things and details that have made a difference like Kiwanuka’s penetration last week. I think we have improved and hopefully that is going to continue as well”, Coughlin said.
Since a number of Giants’ players are going to be playing their first playoff competition, Coughlin has reassured that the seniours were sharing the necessary information with the juniours to prepare them for the game.
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