EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced on a limited basis Wednesday after being sidelined for a month with a high ankle sprain and continuing problems with his knee.
Umenyiora hurt the ankle — the team has not said which one — in a loss in New Orleans on Nov. 28. He has missed the past four games, but he looked nimble running with the defensive linemen early in practice.
The Giants have not been hurt by Umenyiora’s absence because Jason Pierre-Paul has been outstanding starting for him at right end, twice winning NFC defensive player of the week honors.
Umenyiora’s addition also comes at a time when fellow two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck is playing his best football after a season marked by neck, groin and toe injuries.
With Umenyiora, Pierre-Paul, Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants will finally have all the parts of the third-down pass quartet they envisioned using all season.
Cowboys’ Romo throws passes during practice
IRVING, Texas — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was limited in practice Wednesday because of his still-swollen bruised right hand, though he did throw several passes.
Romo was injured on the first series of Dallas’ 20-7 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday when his hand struck a defender’s helmet. Steven McGee played the rest of the game.
The winner of Sunday night’s regular-season finale at MetLife Stadium, a matchup of 8-7 teams, clinches the NFC East title and a home playoff game in the wild card round the following weekend.
Dolphins’ Long put on IR after Pro Bowl nod
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long was placed on injured reserve with a right arm injury, meaning he’ll miss the team’s final game Sunday against the New York Jets.
The move Wednesday came one day after Long was chosen a Pro Bowl starter for the third consecutive year. He endured an injury-plagued season, including a back ailment that forced him to miss two games after he started the first 61 games of his career..
Please read our comment policy before commenting.