The New York Giants will host the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football and both teams will be missing at least two of their starters in the crucial matchup. The Giants have yet to face Andrew Luck, but they're 1-3 in their past four games against Indianapolis and their injury woes won't help them.
Prior to Thursday, the Colts were unsure if cornerback Vontae Davis (knee) and wide receiver Reggie Wayne (elbow) would be available, but the two starters are listed as probable and should suit up tonight. Additionally, two other key starters - running back Ahmad Bradshaw (not injury related) and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (toe) - are listed as probable and are expected to play.
But Indianapolis will be without two of their starters on defense. Outside linebacker Erik Walden and defensive tackle Arthur Jones will be held out of action tonight. Walden suffered a quadriceps injury during last week's loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jones will miss his sixth game of the season due to an ankle injury. Jones perhaps returned prematurely last week against the Steelers and re-injured his ailing ankle, leaving him out for this week. Backup linebacker Josh McNary will also be on the sidelines with an ankle injury, which greatly affects the Colts' depth at the position. Starting safety LaRon Landry will also not play following his recent return from a four-game suspension.
As for the 3-4 New York Giants, they'll enter tonight's matchup without starting running back Rashad Jennings for the third straight game. Jennings sprained his MCL against the Atlanta Falcons on October 5 and has yet to return since exiting that game early. It was believed he would return this week because the Giants were coming off of a bye, but he only starting running last Monday and his progress did not suggest he would be ready for a game-speed environment. New York will also be without starting defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins because of a calf injury he suffered against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. The team expects Jenkins to be out for at least another two weeks.
Jenkins joins a banged up defense that has already lost starting linebacker Jon Beason and cornerbacks Walter Thurmond III and Trumaine McBride for the season. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) is still injured and did not participate in practice on Saturday, but he's expected to play tonight. Also, starting cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (back) is listed as questionable and was limited in practice all week. He's been dealing with nagging injuries since Week 3, but his latest back issue could potentially keep him out of action tonight.
The Colts (5-3) will look to forget about last week's 51-34 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers while the Giants (3-4) hope to bounce back from two straight division losses to the Eagles and Cowboys. Tune in to ESPN tonight at 8 p.m. for coverage of Monday Night Football.
