The New York Giants got a surprise today when they showed up for practice, and it was not a good one. Defensive end Justin Tuck, the team's defensive captain and best defensive player, sat out practice with shoulder soreness. He was listed as 'questionable' for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
The issue is with his surgically repaired shoulder, and Tuck admitted to reporters that he feels it "every day." Giants fans will remember that Tuck partially tore the labrum in his left shoulder in Week 2 last season, the result of an illegal trip from then-Dallas offensive lineman Flozell Adams.
Tuck, however, has no doubt he will play against Tennessee.
"Once I get on the football field, in past times I’ve been injured I get on the football field and get the adrenaline from your teammates and crowd you tend to forget about it after a while," Tuck said. "You feel it after the game, but during the game you don’t feel it as much. I’m banking on that."
Tuck is also banking on the hope that at some point the pain will go away, though the 27-year-old conceded that "maybe" it will be something that lingers all year.
"The things I’ve got to do is do a great job of communicating when I’m feeling something and not try to be a hero every day," he said. "That can get you in trouble in this league. I’ve got to get in there for treatment. It’s a physical game. You’re going to have bumps and bruises. You’ve got to be wise enough to take care of them right when it happens. That’s what I’ve got to do."
So, thanks a lot there, Flozell. A year later, you aren't even a Cowboy any more and your stupidity is still hurting the Giants.
