Tight end Jake Ballard, who missed the last two games of the regular season with a knee injury, will be on the practice field today, when the Giants begin preparing for Sunday's NFC Wild Card Game against the Atlanta Falcons.

How much he actually does will depend on how his knee feels.

"Ballard will try," Coach Tom Coughlin said at his news conference. "He's going to do individual (drills), then see where he is, then see if we can push him further."

Ballard was the Giants' fourth-leading receiver this season, with 38 catches in 14 games. In his absence, Bear Pascoe and Travis Beckum each caught two passes in the Giants' victory over Dallas last week that clinched the NFC East title. They did not have a reception from a tight end the previous week vs. the Jets.

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who had two sacks last week after missing the previous four games with an ankle injury, will practice today, Coughlin said.

Rookie linebacker Mark Herzlich will test the sprained ankle that sidelined the last five games of the regular season.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw will be on the practice field, though "whether or not we push him to do some things, I don't know," Coughlin said. Bradshaw's practice time has been limited much of the season because of his ongoing foot problems.

Da'Rel Scott (knee), the only other player on the Giants' early injury list, will practice.

Hit the follow botton to join the Giants community!  Follow @Giants