Bradshaw ruled out for showdown with Falcons

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants will play a critical game Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons without their leading rusher.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin confirmed that Ahmad Bradshaw will not play Sunday due to lingering knee and foot problems.

It would have been a reach for him to be ready, Coughlin said of Bradshaw, who was spotted with his knee heavily wrapped and not participating in any football activities.

Bradshaw, who has 869 yards and five touchdowns on the ground this season, has played through injury before. But the sprained knee the six-year veteran suffered Sunday in the 52-27 win over New Orleans did not recover in time for him to practice this week.

With the team already missing their second-leading rusher Andre Brown (out for the season with a broken fibula), the Giants will now turn to rookie David Wilson, who had a spectacular game against the Saints, as well as recent free agent signees Ryan Torain and Kregg Lumpkin, either of whom have yet to carry the ball this season for the Giants.

Coughlin was asked if Wilson, who rushed for 100 yards and had two touchdowns in the win over the Saints, could handle the majority of the carries in Bradshaw's absence and be a 20-carry back.

I think he could be, Coughlin said of the first-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech.