New York is still fighting through numerous injuries, as the team’s starting offensive line of left tackle David Diehl, left guard Rich Seubert (broken hand), center Shaun O’Hara (ankle), right guard Chris Snee (knee) and right tackle Kareem McKenzie has not yet played together this preseason. McKenzie also missed practice on Monday due to a migraine headache while Snee is with his wife who is in labor with their child. O’Hara and cornerback Aaron Ross (foot) remain out.
In addition, Giants wide receiver Sinorice Moss (groin) and backup quarterback Jim Sorgi (shoulder) were placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, ending their season. On a positive note though, safety Michael Johnson (back), defensive tackle Chris Canty (groin), rookie defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (groin), wide receiver Ramses Barden (back) and running back Danny Ware (concussion) all returned to practice for New York.
Giants starting quarterback Eli Manning returned to action last week as well after suffering a laceration on his forehead that required 12 stitches in a 31-16 win over the New York Jets in the preseason opener. He completed 9-of-18 passes for 63 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday. Reserve QB Rhett Bomar followed Manning and completed 10-of-20 passes for 140 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Victor Cruz, who figures to make the team now that Moss is out.
The Patriots are coming off a disappointing 36-35 home loss to the lowly St. Louis Rams last Thursday and hope to head into the regular-season opener on a positive note. Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford carved up the New England secondary, completing 15-of-22 passes for 189 yards with two touchdowns. Bradford put the Rams up 20-14 at halftime and saw that lead stretch to 27-14 in the third quarter before the Pats scored 21 straight points for a 35-27 lead.
New England starting QB Tom Brady was responsible for the comeback – throwing touchdown passes to wide receiver Randy Moss and rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski – before backup Brian Hoyer connected with wide receiver Sam Aiken on the team’s final scoring play. St. Louis got a touchdown run from Keith Toston and a 37-yard field goal by kicker Josh Brown to win it.
Hoyer is expected to see a majority of the playing time vs. New York with rookie Zac Robinson also seeing some snaps. After three very solid performances, Brady (33-of-42 for 425 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason) does not figure to play much if at all in the finale against the Giants. It is also worth noting that running back Laurence Maroney has not carried the ball in the last two games and has only eight carries in four preseason games.
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