New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Friday that defensive end Justin Tuck, questionable for Sunday's season opener with the Washington Redskins due to a neck injury, practiced on Friday and "moved around pretty good." Tuck told reporters he is "hopeful" that he will play on Sunday.

The Giants are also hopeful that Tuck will play, maybe more than hopeful. The Giants are already without Terrell Thomas, Jonathan Goff, Osi Umenyiora and Prince Amukamara. Tuck, though, is their best defensive player and the heart of the Giants defense.

Interestingly, Coughlin said "possibly" when asked if Mathias Kiwanuka would move to defensive end if Tuck could not play. Kiwanuka is a starting linebacker this season.

Here are a couple of other highlights from Coughlin's Friday meeting with the media.

On Plaxico Burress's criticims ...

"I'm sure it was some not so grandiose statements but I don't know anything about that. I really am not interested in it, either."

On what he wants to tell rookie middle linebacker Greg Jones ...

"Go get them. Go get them, son. I am with you all the way. ... if he runs through the line of scrimmage and splatters the running back and steals the ball and runs in the end zone, I will be real happy."

On his 'level of anxiety' heading into the season opener ...

"How am I sleeping? Not too good. Thank you for asking."

In his own dry way, Coughlin actually does have a sense of humor.