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The Giants will decide tomorrow whether to activate Jason Pierre-Paul for their game Sunday at Tampa Bay.
"The decision with JPP, everything is positive, we're not going to make that decision (today)," coach Tom Coughlin said. "Tomorrow. we'll have a brief workout and we'll go from there. I've been pleased with what I've seen this week."
Pierre-Paul has been a full participant in practice all week. He said on Wednesday he would like to face the Bucs, but the decision rests with the team's medical staff.
"He's done everything we've asked him to do, and we're very positive about it," Coughlin said. "But tomorrow we'll just work out in the morning, we'll tell you."
The Giants were granted a two-game roster exemption for JPP when he signed his contract and reported last week. The game Sunday would be the second under the exemption. If the Giants activate Pierre-Paul, they must remove a player from their roster.
If Pierre-Paul does play, it's uncertain if he will start or play as a reserve, whether he will be fulltime player or a situational pass rusher. Coughlin said it's wrong to assume JPP will be forced into a specialized role because he hasn't yet played.
"It may be in a role that you may have an idea of how many snaps you want him to have," Coughlin said. "He obviously has played many, many years in all circumstances, so I don't think necessarily that's true."
• The Giants today declared five players out of the game Sunday at Tampa Bay: cornerback Prince Amukamara (pectoral), linebackers Jon Beason (ankle/knee) and J.T. Thomas (ankle), tight end Larry Donnell (neck), and wide receiver Victor Cruz (calf).
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Amukamara will miss his fourth consecutive game, Beason his fourth of the season and second in a row, and Thomas will sit out his second straight game. Donnell has played in 40 consecutive games since the start of the 2013 season. Cruz has yet to play in a game this year.
Amukamara practiced on a limited basis this week, but is not ready for game action.
"He needs more time," Coughlin said. "This was to get him going and to be able to give him a week where he could maneuver and cover and so on and so forth, without any real contact. He's had a nice week of that and we'll continue."
Three players are questionable: wide receiver Rueben Randle (hamstring), linebacker Uani 'Unga (neck) and cornerback Leon McFadden (groin).
Three more are probable: guard Geoff Schwartz (ankle), running back Orleans Darkwa (back) and safety Craig Dahl (neck).
• The Giants lead the regular-season series with Tampa Bay, 12-6. They have a four-game winning streak in the series, including a 24-14 victory in a 2007 NFC Wild Card Game. The Giants also won regular-season games vs. the Buccaneers in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
This is their first meeting since Sept. 16, 2012, when the Giants rallied in the second half to defeat Tampa Bay, 41-34. Eli Manning threw for a career-high 510 yards in that game. The Giants last visited Tampa on Sept. 27, 2009, when they won, 24-0. It remains their most recent shutout. The Giants are 5-5 in regular-season games at Tampa Bay.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday
QB ELI MANNING After flirting with history and throwing a career-high six touchdowns last week, Manning will face Tampa Bay for the first time since he threw for a personal-best 510 yards in a 34-7 victory in 2012. Overall, Manning is undefeated in four meetings with the Buccaneers, including a 2007 NFC Wild Card Game en route to winning Super Bowl XLII. "We just have to know each Sunday is different," Manning said. "It's a different day, it's a different game, it's a different team, and so we have to make sure that we're sharp in our preparation this week, that our practices are really good, we're playing fast, have a good game plan, good understanding of the defense and their scheme and their technique, and go out there and make the plays on Sunday."
CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIELike the veteran cornerback said, the only way to bounce back from the 600 yards, seven passing touchdowns and 35 first downs the defense allowed last week is with a win this Sunday. The Giants (4-4) take on No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers (3-4) in Week 9 at Raymond James Stadium. "I think you've got to go out and get this one," said Rodgers-Cromartie, whose defense is tied for first in the NFL with 13 interceptions. "The things that come along with a win, as far as our division, and trying to get back to where we want to be. So I think that's definitely the biggest thing."
WR DWAYNE HARRIS In his first year with the Giants, Harris became only the fourth player in franchise history to account for a kickoff return touchdown and at least two receiving touchdowns in a single season. Harris caught two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Saints after being carted off earlier in the game with knee and ankle injuries. "He's a tough hombre," coach Tom Coughlin said in his exclusive, weekly interview with Giants.com. "He goes right back out on the field. His other roles are diminishing because of what he's had to do as the third receiver. He's a gunner; he's a very good one. If he's in there on the last play, who knows?"
![DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS
Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick out of Florida State and former Heisman Trophy winner, presents enough challenges for the Giants, but running back Doug Martin cannot be overlooked. He's fifth in the NFL in averaging 87.4 yards per game and is tied for second with seven runs of 20 yards or more. The Giants hung their hat on run defense earlier in the season but have slipped to 19th in the league. Run-stuffers like Hankins will be key on Sunday.
"I think you've got to stop the run first, can't focus on [Winston] without focusing on No. 22 [Martin] first," defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's really good. Like I said before, he's a legit running back in this league. If we can do that and hopefully get a little pass rush, I think we're all talking."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/qhngj3naw3m2rgu2sl9u.jpg)
DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick out of Florida State and former Heisman Trophy winner, presents enough challenges for the Giants, but running back Doug Martin cannot be overlooked. He's fifth in the NFL in averaging 87.4 yards per game and is tied for second with seven runs of 20 yards or more. The Giants hung their hat on run defense earlier in the season but have slipped to 19th in the league. Run-stuffers like Hankins will be key on Sunday. "I think you've got to stop the run first, can't focus on [Winston] without focusing on No. 22 [Martin] first," defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's really good. Like I said before, he's a legit running back in this league. If we can do that and hopefully get a little pass rush, I think we're all talking."
TE WILL TYE With Larry Donnell sidelined because of a neck injury, Stony Brook's Will Tye is the next man up. The undrafted rookie has eight receptions for 77 yards this season, including an 18-yarder and a 17-yarder. Jerome Cunningham was also signed to the roster off the practice squad this week to shore up the tight end position. "The game is not too big for him," offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said of Tye. "He seems to play with a calm mind, has some—plays at a good play speed, soft hands, and when there's a lot of moving and shaking going on out there, it doesn't seem to disrupt him much."
