Giants' Terrell Thomas: 'I'm not afraid'

Terrell Thomas is looking forward to his first practice with the New York Giants Tuesday afternoon, having been officially removed from the PUP list. Thomas said a "light hammy strain" suffered during conditioning tests on the first day of training camp is what has kept him sidelined to this point, not the ACL that has cost him the past two seasons.

"I'm excited for the challenge," Thomas said. "I've been waiting for this moment.

"This is Day 1. It's a long road ahead of me, and I'm not afraid of it."

Thomas said he will start with individual drills and work his way up. He is targeting being ready for the season opener and said it's up to the Giants whether or not he plays in any preseason games.

"I would love to get out there," Thomas said. "I think I need to get out there."

The 28-year-old did admit to being a "little bit" apprehensive about getting back on the field.

"Who knows how my body is going to respond," Thomas said. "Until I get out there on the field I really don't know what I can do."

Thomas will join a crowded cornerback group that includes Prince Amukamara, Corey Webster, Jayron Hosley and Aaron Ross, as well as hopefuls Trumaine McBride, a veteran, and Charles James, an undrafted free agent.

Whether it is at cornerback or safety, a position Thomas may end up playing if he can no longer handle the rigors of cornerback, the Giants can benefit from Thomas experience -- if he can hold up physically.

We begin finding out just what Thomas has left today when the Giants hit the field.