The New York Giants will be without cornerback/kick returner Will Blackmon and defensive end Dave Tollefson for Sunday’s key game at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Blackmon has a knee injury and Coughlin said he could wind up on Injured Reserve. Darius Reynaud or Aaron Ross would be the likely choices to return punts with Blackmon out.
Reynaud has a team-high 23 runbacks for a 5.7-yard average. Ross appeared to have the inside track on the job in training camp and he returned a punt 45 yards in a preseason game vs. Pittsburgh. But he hurt his foot in that game and the Giants traded with Minnesota to bring in Reynaud and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Ross has just one punt return since, against Washington, for zero yards.
Ross said he has been asking for the job "for four years now. I don't know right now. Coach hasn't really made a final decision. If he calls (number) 31 to go back there on Sunday, I'm willing and ready to do it. If he calls my number to get back there and return a punt, you might see me jump for joy. It's something that I feel like the Lord gave me the ability to do, and I just need my number called to do it."
Tollefson has rotated at defensive end and is a key member of the Giants much-maligned kick coverage teams.
For Green Bay, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is listed as probable. Rodgers missed Green Bay’s game last week against New England with a concussion.
The Giants can clinch a berth in the NFC playoffs with a victory over the Packers on Sunday. If Green Bay wins, the two teams will head to the final week of the season with the Giants needing to defeat Washington and hope the Packers lose to the Chicago Bears in order to reach the playoffs.