What some expected to be David Wilson's big coming out party Monday night was more like a cameo.
Wilson had as many rushing attempts – four – as kickoff returns Monday night, when the Giants lost to the Redskins in Washington, 17-16. Those carries totaled just nine yards. The numbers did not match the pregame speculation that Wilson's workload and production would increase when he moved up the depth chart to No. 2 after Andre Brown broke his leg the previous week vs. Green Bay.
"I was kind of expecting more, but really I didn't know what to expect," Wilson said. "So I'm just glad to get involved."
Although he played only briefly on offense, the reviews were positive.
"He runs hard," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He ran hard and he showed that he can go in there and play, there's no question about that. He has learned, he has developed. We need that. We need to be able to count on a number of backs this time of year and really at any time."
Whether Wilson gets a bigger workload Sunday at home against New Orleans won't be determined until game day. In Washington, Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 103 yards on 24 carries, and those numbers were a major factor in Wilson getting so few attempts.
"He was doing great," Gilbride said of Bradshaw. "We were running the ball.
"It's just a matter of how the game was played out. (Wilson) wasn't in that much, so he didn't get a lot of chances to run it or pass-protect. Again, the other guy was doing very well."
The most memorable Wilson moment from the game occurred on his first carry, when linebacker London Fletcher knocked him down with a crushing hit after a five-yard gain.
"He caught me in the air," Wilson said. "It was a nice hit, so I can't take that from him."
He'll gladly absorb a few more of those if it means getting the ball in his hands more often.
*Lawrence Tynes' 10 points Monday night increased his season total to 127 – that both leads the NFL and is a career high. Tynes, who has been the league's scoring and field goal leader for much of the season, is five points ahead of New England's Stephen Gostkowksi.
Tynes' previous career best was 126 points in 2009, when he kicked 27 field goals. This season, with four games remaining, he has booted 32 three-pointers. Tynes' point total is tied for the third-highest single-season total in Giants history; Ali Haji-Sheikh scored 127 points in 1983. The record of 148 was set by Jay Feely in 2005. John Carney scored 143 points in 2008.
*The Giants are 26-29 in games following a Monday night game, including 8-8 since 2000.
*Hakeem Nicks joined the list of players not practicing with a sore knee, which has bothered him most of the season. "It's always a concern, but hopefully it will subside and he'll be ready to go," coach Tom Coughlin said.
Also sitting out were running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), safety Kenny Phillips (knee), tight end Travis Beckum (knee) and safety Tyler Sash (hamstring).
Phillips played the last two weeks after missing six consecutive games with a knee injury. Did he have a setback in Washington?
"I don't think it was a setback," Coughlin said. "Just something that he's dealing with."
Linebackers Michael Boley (shoulder) and Jacquian Williams (knee) were limited. Williams has missed the last six games, but Coughlin said the second-year pro "moved well. He did. He practiced well." Asked if he was more encouraged about Williams returning this week, Coughlin said, "I think that would be a good assessment."
Another linebacker, Chase Blackburn (ankle), practiced fully, as did center David Baas (shoulder), wide receiver Domenik Hixon (ankle) and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (back).
Hixon missed the last two games. Although he has just one punt return this season, special teams coordinator Tom Quinn hinted Hixon could assume that role and perhaps return kickoffs as well this week.
"He's done both well," Quinn said. "Just seeing how the game flows, if David is playing more on offense, it might be something that he will do. We're ready to go either way, just trying to get him more involved.
"If he's active, we'll start getting him back into his role, getting him on some special teams. Hopefully, we'll see an increase if he's active."
*The Giants will hold their annual Toys For Tots drive on Sunday. Giants fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to any of the collection vehicles and volunteers located at each gate prior to entering MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Uniformed Marine Corps Reserves will be on hand to assist in collecting these gifts. All gifts collected during the drive will be donated to Toys for Tots, the premier community action program of the United States Marines.
*The game against New Orleans Sunday will highlight the Giants' "Loyal Blue Thank You Week." The Giants are showing their appreciation to their season ticket holders with a variety of exclusive benefits and events. They will include:
This afternoon, a conference call with defensive standouts Justin Tuck and Antrel Rolle was held for season tickets holders. On Sunday, the Giants, for the first time, will use the stadium's numerous video boards and televisions to enable season ticket holders and their friends to see their own pictures on game day. Fans are urged to share their favorite Giants-themed photos, which will be displayed throughout the day, starting pre-game in the plazas, and all through the game, including halftime. Fans are urged to send their photos to #LoyalBlue using the Instagram Mobile App.
Also Sunday, the Giants will host a pregame alumni Q&A from 2:30–3:10 p.m. at the MetLife stage on the Plaza with Bob Tucker, Mark Collins and Bob Kratch, hosted by My9's Russ Salzberg. Immediately following the question-and-answer session, former Giants center and captain Shaun O'Hara will sign autographs for an hour.
The first 10,000 Thumann's stadium hot dogs will be $1 until 30 minutes before kickoff, at 3:55 p.m. (limit 2 per person); offer available throughout the stadium and the Plaza. In addition, 2,500 free Dunkin Donuts hot chocolates will also be available exclusively in the MetLife Plaza area when the Gates open at 2:30. Eighty thousand free "Loyal Blue" themed gifts will be handed out as fans leave the game.
On Tuesday, December, 11, there will be an exclusive Holiday Shopping Event for season ticket holders and their friends and family at the MetLife Stadium Flagship Store from Noon to 8 p.m.
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