Tom Coughlin called Will Beatty's progress in recuperating from a back injury "encouraging", leaving the door open for his starting left tackle to play in the team's season opener against Dallas.

Beatty didn't play in the preseason, but the team's first option to protect Eli Manning's blind side has begun working out with the team and could be ready by Wednesday night, Coughlin said in a conference call Thursday.

I’d like to have Beatty back without a doubt to put us back in at least a three-tackle situation and we’ll have to see how Beatty is. I think if he continues to make progress, then we should be able to get him back for the game.

The team will turn to Sean Locklear if Beatty can't return in time. Coughlin also indicated that he was unsure the prospects of a return for defensive tackle Marvin Austin and cornerback Terrell Thomas.

The Giants team website posted Thursday that cornerback Prince Amukamara hopes to play in Week 1, but that a return in the season's second week is more likely as he attempts to come back from a high ankle sprain.

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