Tuck And More

DE Justin Tuck did not practice, as planned, but Tom Coughlin said his partially torn left labrum may not keep him out of Sunday's game in Tampa. He didn't say Tuck was a definite go, but he did sound guardedly optimistic.

"It's a matter of soreness and strength," Coughlin said of the injury, which originally happened at Notre Dame. "He's a little bit less sore today than he was yesterday, so hopefully that's something that's going to improve."

Coughlin put out the possibility that Tuck could play with a harness. That's not a unique idea. Hall-of-Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor played one of the greatest games of his career against New Orleans with one shoulder harnessed to near immobility in 1988.

Meanwhile, Coughlin was still bristling over Flozell Adams' illegal trip that caused the whole mess. When asked what he thought of the play, Coughlin snapped, "What do you want me to think? It was a flagrant foul."

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The other injury news didn't sound as encouraging. Joining Tuck on the sideline was Chris Canty, who is still rehabbing his calf strain. S Kenny Phillips (knee), CB Kevin Dockery (hamstring), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring) and WR Domenik Hixon (knee) were all on the exercise bikes. Coughlin said the conditions of Dockery, Ross, and Nicks remained unchanged, which means they'll probably go a third game without Ross, a second game without Nicks, and possibly a third game without Dockery. No word on Hixon, who was hurt in the first half last week, but he was not wearing pads.

LB Clint Sintim (groin) and T Adam Koets (ankle) were in pads and appeared ready to take at least limited work after missing the first two weeks entirely.

RB Danny Ware (elbow) was not sighted at practice.

EP