Jackson Back, But Not Westbrook

Here's a story from the Philly Inquirer about DeSean Jackson and Brian Westbrook, who both recently sustained concussions. Jackson has been cleared to play Sunday and expects to see action not only as the wide receiver, but as the team's starting punt returner also. He sat out last week against Atlanta but felt that was the right move, considering the league's new, conservative policy on concussions.

Westbrook has been out since suffering his second concussion Nov. 15 against the Chargers. He took his first work since then with the scout team the last two days and, by all appearances, does not appear ready to play in a game. He's just hoping he'll have a chance to play again this season, but it won't be Sunday against the Giants.


It does look like DJ Ware will be back after participating in his second practice following his clearance from a concussion suffered against Denver.


"It's part of the game," Ware said. "If I take a little blow, maybe it's supposed to happen. I'll just go out there, try to protect myself, and try to have fun.


"I don't try to think about it. I haven't thought about it since it happened. You've just got to try and move forward. It's one of those things that can happen again."


Ware will probably come in on some third-down situations for blitz pickup. And he'll be happy to do that. Actually, he's happy doing anything considering how his season has gone. Having missed the first six games, save for the season-opening kickoff return, with a dislocated elbow, and now another with the concussion, he hasn't had the smoothest of rides.


"It's been frustrating," he said. "You go out, practice as hard as I can and do things the right way, to work so hard and not have the type of season I expected to have, it's frustrating. But you move on. We're trying to get to the playoffs, and hopefully I can turn it around and have a positive effect."


The Giants could use the extra back to take some of the third-down load off Brandon Jacobs. They'll need him for first and second down as they try this week to run the clock and idle an Eagles offense that has scored 108 points in a 3-1 stretch. They've tallied 85 points over the three-game winning streak.


For those hoping the defense has an easier time of it without Westbrook, remember that he wasn't there for the first game, either. Instead, the Giants watched fullback Leonard Weaver and tailback Shady McCoy combined for 157 ground yards and two touchdowns.


"We have to try to keep them from making the big plays," Tom Coughlin said. "It starts with us stopping the run. They ran the ball on us over there. They have made big plays. So we have to stop the run and try to prevent the big plays."

EP