Jared Lorenzen and Derrick Ward have run plenty of plays together for the New York Giants during the past few years.
Trouble is, most of them have come in the preseason or during practice with the scout team. Both players will be on a much larger stage Sunday when New York plays its home-opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Ward will start at running back in place of injured Brandon Jacobs, while Lorenzen could start if Eli Manning’s right shoulder has not healed sufficiently to allow the fourth-year quarterback to play.
“Could” has been the operative word around the Giants this week. Lorenzen continued to take snaps with the first team Thursday, as he has all week, while Manning threw on the sidelines and didn’t take snaps.
Afterward, Manning said his shoulder felt better than it did Tuesday or Wednesday, but said he would have to wait until the weekend to make his decision.
“I’m improving, but I still have some work to do,” he said.
Manning sprained his shoulder in Sunday night’s 45-35 loss at Dallas when he was hit by linebacker Anthony Spencer on a failed two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. Jacobs sprained his right knee in the first half and is considered week to week.
Jets: According to published reports, second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens will start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens while Chad Pennington nurses a sore right ankle.
Cowboys: Receiver Terry Glenn underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee for the second time in six weeks, and the team said there is no timetable for his return.
Patriots: Former guard Joe Andruzzi, a member of New England’s three Super Bowl championship teams during his five years with the club, was diagnosed in May with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and has returned to the Boston area for treatment.
49ers: Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore missed the team’s practice after the death of his mother.
Gore’s mother, Liz, died Wednesday in the Miami area and the running back left Thursday to be with relatives. He still intends to play in Sunday’s game at St. Louis.
Packers: Running back Vernand Morency’s knee injury flared up, and wide receiver Greg Jennings still had some soreness in his hamstring.
The lingering injury issues left their availability in doubt going into Sunday’s game against the Giants.
