The Giants' defense has been one of the bigger surprises of 2015 so far thanks in part to their stellar play at cornerback.
Unfortunately, they'll need to readjust. Prince Amukamara will be out two to four weeks with a partial pectoral tear, coach Tom Coughlin told the media Thursday. The former first-round pick was among the best cornerbacks in football so far this season.
Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo returned to the team he won a Super Bowl with only to find the electric pass rush he once knew severely depleted. Nevertheless, he's used Amukamara's strength on the outside to re-engineer a front four that hasn't seen Jason Pierre-Paul practice once this season.
In different situations this season, he was able to use 5-11, 240-pound fullback Nikita Whitlock as a pass rusher in order to generate some pressure.
Now, his plan likely changes. Without Amukamara, the Giants will either turn to Jayron Hosley, a former third-round pick out of Virginia Tech, or Trevin Wade.
Here are other injuries we've been monitoring Thursday:
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luckthrew at practice for the second straight day. He was listed as a limited participant again.
- Giants wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring) and Victor Cruz (calf) did not practice, coach Tom Coughlin told the media. Beckham remains day-to-day. Rueben Randle
- Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (hamstring) suffered a setback in his attempt to return to the field for the first time since Week 1. Coach Jay Gruden told reporters Jackson "had an issue here and there" during practice and his status for Week 6 is unknown.
- Rams guard Rodger Saffold's season is over. Jeff Fisher announced he will have season-ending surgery on his shoulder to repair a labral tear. Saffold has been placed on injured reserve.
- Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) was a full participate at practice.
- Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is experiencing complications from his ankle injury and is expected to undergo a second surgery, NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported, according to sources briefed of the injury.
- Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck has torn his pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the season. He is getting surgery in the next few days and will head to injured reserve, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (ankle) did not practice.
- Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (groin) was limited in practice, the team reported.
- Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (groin) did not practice for the second day in a row.
- The Bills' offense is beat up, but most of its role players practiced Thursday. Tyrod Taylor (knee), internal-link-placeholder-2 and Sammy Watkins (calf) were all limited participants in practice, while Karlos Williams (concussion) sat out.
- Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (ankle) is at practice without pads and helmet and looks like he won't be participating, NFL Media's James Palmer reported.
- Patriots running back Dion Lewis was listed as a limited participant with an abdominal injury.
- Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o (ankle) did not practice Thursday, the team confirmed.
- Niners running back Carlos Hyde (foot) warmed up, but did not participate in practice, according to the team. Tight end Vernon Davis (knee) was limited.
- Titans rookie linebacker Deiontrez Mount tore his right ACL at practice and will miss the rest of the season, coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters.
- Saints offensive tackle Andrus Peat suffered a left leg injury during the first half of Thursday's game against the Falcons and didn't return, the team reported. Teammate Dannelle Ellerbe left the game in the second half after suffering a groin injury, according to Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports.
