Giants Injury Report: Steve Weatherford still hopes to play

New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford has four torn ligaments in his ankle, according to a variety of reports published Wednesday. Weatherford, known for his strenuous fitness regimen, still hopes to punt Sunday when the Giants host the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium.

"I'm cut from a different cloth," Weatherford said when asked how he could expect to play just six days after suffering such a brutal injury.

"The diagnosis wasn't great but it wasn't... I'm an optimist. It could have been a lot worse," Weatherford said. "It could have been a knee and it could have been season-ending, so for me I'm looking at the bright side and am very optimistic and hopeful that I'll be out there to join my family on Sunday."

Weatherford did not practice Wednesday.

"I'm not going to tell Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin that I'm ready to go unless I know that I can help my team and I can be as good as I can be," Weatherford said. "I'm going to do what's in the best interest of the team and if I don't feel like I can help my team, I'm going to tell them that I need another week. It's progressing well. It actually felt better yesterday than it did on Monday night, so that's encouraging."

If Weatherford can't go the Giants could bring in a veteran punter, but that means they would have to drop a player and would be carrying two punters on the 53-man roster. Placekicker Josh Brown has punted five times in his NFL career, averaging 24.8 yards per punt. He has not punted since 2008.

"I've been in every situation possible in this league, or at least I think I have, so I'm real comfortable," Brown said. "I have no issues catching the snap and getting it off in time."

Backup quarterback Ryan Nassib would likely be the holder for Brown on placekicks should Weatherford be out of action.

Other Injury Notes

The following Giants did not practice: Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring); tackle James Brewer (back); defensive tackles Cullen Jenkins (hip) and Markus Kuhn (ankle); and rookie linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring). Charles Brown (shoulder) and Jon Beason (foot) were limited.