Bradshaw's availability based on Giants RB's pain tolerance

Ahmad Bradshaw has a cracked bone in his foot, but the injury is something very similar to what the New York Giants running back has played with in the past, team and league sources said Thursday. The Giants do not have a timetable for Bradshaw's return.

Bradshaw's availability will be based on the amount of pain and discomfort he can handle, and a source who has been in contact with Bradshaw said it is possible he plays as soon as Sunday.

According to a team source, no decision on possible surgery has been made, and the source in contact with Bradshaw maintains surgery will not be required.

Bradshaw suffered the injury during the Giants' win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. Bradshaw has a history of ankle and foot ailments, and he underwent multiple surgeries early in 2010 to insert screws into both of his feet and to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday there is a chance Bradshaw could play.

"In the past he has played with the crack or whatever you want to call it, a stress crack in his foot," Coughlin said of Bradshaw, who missed his second straight day of practice. "He has played that way in the past. I don't know what the determination is just yet. We'll have to wait and see."

When he was hurt last week, the Giants said Bradshaw missed time in the second half because a screw from a previous surgery was causing pain in his foot. He was seen on the bench without his right shoe on. 

"He is doing good," said Brandon Jacobs, whose locker is right next to Bradshaw. "We still really don't know exactly what is wrong with him. I didn't go into depth, I just feel bad for him. I wish he would heal up and get back our here." 

Bradshaw is expected to consult with Dr. Robert Anderson, a North Carolina orthopedist who examined Bradshaw in 2009. 

Bradshaw has 440 rushing yards with five touchdowns this season.

Jacobs, who lost his starting job to Bradshaw for most of last season, and lobbied for more carries last week, would not rule out the possibility of Bradshaw playing Sunday.

However, he also plans to be ready to play. 

"Yeah, yeah, it looks like I will get my opportunity to play more," Jacobs said. "First off, I want to be able to go out and help the team as much as I can, go out and perform to the best of my ability and when the opportunity is given to me to take advantage of it."

If he is sidelined, expect the Giants to rely on a running back combo of Jacobs and D.J. Ware. Jacobs played this past Sunday for the first time in two games, rushing for 10 yards on four carries.

Also out of commission on Thursday were Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) and center David Baas (knee), according to the New York Daily News. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora (knee) and Justin Tuck (neck/groin) and wide receiver Mario Manningham (illness) all returned to practice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.