Prince Amukamara remains a practice-only player. But he hopes that's about to change.
The rookie cornerback played "a few snaps" with the first team defense on Wednesday.
Prince Amukamara
#20 CB
New York Giants
2011 STATS
- Tot -
- Solo -
- Ast -
- FF -
- Sack -
- Int -
"Just proving myself," he said.
Will he prove enough to coaches to play Sunday in San Francisco? That's a question that will likely be answered later this week.
Amukamara was close to playing last Sunday in New England. He said his jersey was laid across his pads in the visitor's locker room before the game.
"I thought I was ready to go," he said, "But at the last minute, they just called it off."
Now, the former Nebraska star insists he's focused on proving himself on the practice field.
"I think the biggest thing is to just show the coaches I'm ready and gain their trust in me just by doing the right things on the field and not [making] mental errors," he said.
Amukamara was expected to make an immediate impact for the Giants when they drafted him with the first pick in the 2011 draft. But he broke his left foot in his second practice in the preseason.
He has been taking part in team and individual drills since the Giants returned from their bye week last Monday.
If and when Amukamara returns, it should allow Antrel Rolle to give up his nickel corner duties. The former Nebraska star's presence would bolster a secondary that’s lost Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson and Brian Witherspoon to injury.