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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –** Last year while at the University of Miami, Ereck Flowers underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and missed just one game. He is confident of making another rapid return as he receives treatment for his current hip flexor injury.

"I've never been hurt," Flowers said today. "One time, I came back in a week and a half after surgery. I usually heal pretty fast and do pretty well, so I'll definitely be out there really soon."

But not today. Flowers, the Giants' first-round draft choice and the starting left tackle throughout training camp, will sit out his second practice, and the first in which the players will be in full pads.

"It's definitely disappointing," said Flowers, who also missed Monday's workout (the team was off yesterday), said. "Any practice you miss, it's disappointing.

"We're just going day-by-day. It's getting better. When it first happened, I wasn't able to lift it, but now I can lift it up. So it's getting better, I should be practicing soon."

The Giants open their preseason schedule in nine days at Cincinnati – after they hold two joint practices with the Bengals next week.

"I should be fine by then," Flowers said.

Flowers, the 6-6, 329-pounder taken with the ninth overall selection, was moved to left tackle after Will Beatty tore a pectoral muscle on May 19.

Asked to review his first few practices, Flowers said, "I think they went pretty well, pretty well. My hand placement has gotten a lot better. (I'm working on) just overall technique.

"I've made huge progress. It's way different than when I came in for OTA's. Just made progress and looking to continue making more progress."

Flowers regularly speaks to Beatty and other offensive linemen, whose advice has helped accelerate his development.

"All the players help me," Flowers said. "Even a second-year guy like (Weston) Richburg, he's helped me a tremendous amount. Everybody is just there and helping each other.

"It's just embracing the grind, keep grinding and it's going to get better," Flowers said of the advice Beatty has offered. "Things are going to slow down and stuff like that."

As soon as he returns to the field, that is.