EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants backup running
back Ahmad Bradshaw will continue to play this season despite having a cracked
bone on his right foot.
The third-year running back, who has gained 455 yard
rushing, has seemingly known about the injury since the spring but he has played
in pain.
Bradshaw flew to North Carolina on Wednesday and was
examined by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who confirmed the
diagnosis by Giants physicians: a cracked fifth metatarsal. It's a bone that
runs along the outside the foot between the ankle and the toes.
Bradshaw said doctors told him the bone could break if he
continues playing.
"I just plan on going out there and giving it my all and
if it breaks, it does," Bradshaw said. "I'll get surgery. If not, I'll wait to
the end of the season and hopefully at the end I won't need it, but more than
likely I plan on having surgery."
Bradshaw, who said he cushions his foot during games and
finds that running hard is the best way to protect himself, hopes he can finish
the season without the injury getting worse.
A slashing runner who plays behind starter Brandon
Jacobs, Bradshaw has been dealing with two injuries this season. He also has
been bothered by a problem with his right ankle dating back to his college days.
Since the third game of the season, he has worn a
protective boot on his right foot and usually not practiced on Wednesdays and
Thursdays. He takes a limited amount of snaps on Friday.
"When the game is going on, I can't feel it," said
Bradshaw, who is averaging 5.7 yards per run. "A lot of adrenaline is pumping
and you just never know. I felt a lot of pressure going through the game but it
was never a factor."
Bradshaw said the ankle problem resulted from "an old
fracture."
"It was never taken care of," he said. "That is just how
it grew over with a couple of bone spurs and a couple of loose bones in there.
It just heals like that. It is just a lot of pain. Other than that, it doesn't
slow me down at all."
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Bradshaw will get rest,
treatment, rehabilitation and immobilization on the days that he does not
practice. He acknowledged the injury might require surgery at the end of the
season.
The Giants (5-2) play at Philadelphia (4-2) on Sunday.
Notes
Defensive tackle Chris Canty, who hasn't played
since the season-opening victory over Washington because of a calf injury, and
linebacker Michael Boley, who had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 6, took part
in individual practice drills on Thursday.
Cornerback Aaron Ross, who has not played this season
because of hamstring injury, did not practice, Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce
was limited with an ankle injury.
Offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie, who missed last
weekend's game with a groin injury, practiced fully.