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Huge question mark Giants concerned with WR Toomer's left ankle
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Cris Carter and Randy Moss aren't the only wide receivers the New York Giants are worried about. Add Amani Toomer to the list, and that's really a concern. The Giants' leading receiver the past two seasons, Toomer didn't practice Thursday because of a sprained left ankle sustained in the fourth quarter of the 20-10 win over Philadelphia in their NFC Divisional playoff game. Toomer is listed as questionable for Sunday's NFC championship game against the Minnesota Vikings and their swift receivers, Carter and Moss. He looked hurt in practice, running only a couple of patterns before pulling up in pain and going to the sideline. Toomer wasn't sure if he could have played in a game Thursday, but said he would be surprised if he didn't play Sunday. "I think I can run around in some pain," said Toomer, who had 78 receptions for 1,094 yards and seven touchdowns. "I'm in pain now, but come game time, I think I'll be ready." Toomer said the swelling had subsided, but he still was very sore. If Toomer cannot play, either Joe Jurevicius or rookie Ron Dixon would start. Jurevicius, who has not played since spraining a knee Dec. 10, had 24 catches for 272 yards and a touchdown. Dixon, who had a 97-yard game-opening kickoff return against Philadelphia, had six catches for 92 yards and a TD. "I think I have shown that if someone is injured, I can fill in," Jurevicius said. "That's my job, to be ready ... I would love Amani to be ready, because we need all the horses we can get for this game." Even if Toomer plays, it's doubtful he will be 100 percent. Missing practice hasn't been good for him. He was hurt in practice the week before the Giants played Atlanta and he didn't work much the next two weeks. He didn't miss games against the Falcons and Dallas Cowboys, but he had only three catches for 34 yards. "At this point in the season, he has to stay focused," Giants coach Jim Fassel said. Ike Hilliard, who would became the Giants' go-to receiver if Toomer was either unable to play or had a limited role, cautioned not to count out Toomer. "We want to get him as healthy as can be," said Hilliard, who had 55 catches for 787 yards and eight touchdowns this season. "We're not concerned, because we know he is going to be ready." Another option the Giants have would be to use tight end Pete Mitchell more. He was slowed by a preseason knee injury, but looked good against the Eagles, making two catches for 47 yards. "I hope I can get a bigger role," Mitchell said. "I don't want it because someone is hurt. But if that is the case, I hope I can make a contribution." Of course, the best scenario would be to have Toomer ready, but he had a lot of recovering to do after last week's injury. "After the game, I couldn't walk, but I'm walking now and the next step is to get to running," Toomer said. "I never had ankle problems before, so this is different for me. "It's very disappointing. This is the opportunity we worked all season for. To not practice and not do the things you do to get ready for the game is frustrating. Hopefully, I'll come on Sunday and go to work."
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