Veteran RT Breno Giacomini remains on the PUP list with a back injury and there is a possibility he might not be ready for the start of the regular season.
"I honestly have no idea," said head coach Todd Bowles today when asked if Giacomini will be ready for September game action. "It's getting close and he's not practicing yet, so we'll see."
Giacomini told reporters today that his lower back got tight in minicamp and it's been that way ever since. He insists though that he is making progress in his recovery.
"I'm day-to-day right now. Every day I keep getting better," he said. "I want to be back like yesterday, I really do. I hate missing any of this, but it's part of the game. We just have to deal with it and keep taking the right steps forward, and I believe that's what we're doing."
In two seasons with the Jets, the 6'7", 318-pound Giacomini has started all 32 regular season contests. Both Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana have worked with the first-team offense during Giacomini's absence.
"You're kind of worried about that every day, no one is safe in this business," Giacomini said of his status. "But it presents opportunities for these younger guys like Qvale and Ben to step up. To be a part of that room and to know those guys, that's a good feeling to see those guys go out there and produce. That being said, it pushes me harder too — I don't want to lose my job. But it's exciting to see how the guys step up and get the job done. That's part of being a teammate, but I'll be back as soon as I can."
Saturday's game could mark the last extended action of the summer for both Qvale and Ijalana. The Giants will present some challenges on the outside with the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon rushing from the edge.
"They've been going back and forth, so this game will be big," said Bowles. "They've got two premier defensive ends over there, so it will be good to see them against those types of people."
