Devin Thomas Loses Kickoff Return Job

by | Nov 10, 2011 | News and Notes

Devin Thomas Loses Kickoff Return Job: According to WR/KR Devin Thomas, he has been demoted as the team’s kickoff returner. Thomas has had issues securing the football on kickoffs, including last weekend against the Patriots. He has averaged 23.7 yards per return on 21 returns.

“It’s a reality check,” Thomas said. “It checks your pride, but I’m going to bounce back…I can be a stud back there. But I’m a dud if I’m out there muffing returns…It caught me off-guard, but I’m not going to complain. I’m going to keep playing hard.”

The Daily News is reporting that halfbacks Da’Rel Scott and D.J. Ware will now serve as the primary kickoff returners.

November 9, 2011 New York Giants Injury Report – Bradshaw and Nicks Still Out: HB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring), and WR Jerrel Jernigan (hip) did not practice yesterday.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin said before practice that he expected Nicks to practice, but Nicks only did some running on the side.

“Ran today,” said Nicks. “Got up to full speed. It felt good. Going to stick to the plan of more and more each day. Tomorrow I’ll do a little bit more. No setbacks, and that’s always a good sign… Straight ahead, cutting. I did a little bit of everything just to test it out and see where I’m at. Going to do some individual (drills) tomorrow and see where I’m at. Hopefully by the end of the week everything’s going good and still looking good for me…Definitely happy. I ran yesterday. Ran today. Still no setbacks. No pain afterwards. It’s looking good.”

“(Bradshaw) is better than he was last week, that is for sure,” said Coughlin. “We will see (if he plays this weekend). He is better than he was last week. He is walking around and if he keeps getting better, we will see.”

OC David Baas (knee), OT Stacy Andrews (back), DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), and CB Prince Amukamara (foot) were limited in practice.

“It felt pretty good,” Baas said. “Definitely an improvement. Just been getting better and I am happy to be out there and have a chance to play against a very good team and go see those guys again. It will be fun and I am just getting my knee right so I have that ability to. I think there is a good chance (I will play). It all depends how it reacts. We will see tomorrow. Had some of the pounding today but I have high spirits and I am preparing like I do every week to get out there and play.”

For the first time this year, Amukamara saw some practice time with the regular defense yesterday, including a few snaps with the first team. “Just a couple of snaps, here and there. Nothing too major,” Amukamara said. “Just getting me in there…There’s still a lot for me to learn.”

FB Henry Hynoski (neck) practiced fully.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday Press Conference: The transcript and video of yesterday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: The transcripts and video of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Coughlin Has Staying Power with Giants by Tim Smith of The Daily News

Article on QB Eli Manning: Giants Thrive on Manning’s Late-Game Poise by Dave Caldwell of The New York Times

Article on HB Brandon Jacobs: Jacobs Needs to Shut Up and Play by Johnette Howard of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on OC David Baas: Baas Excited to Return to San Francisco by Michael Eisen of Giants.com