Tom Quinn talks about 'ups and downs' of special teams

The New York Giants' special teams have been an adventure during the first three weeks of the season.

• In Week 1, punt-blocking difficulty led to a partially blocked punt and a serious ankle injury to punter Steve Weatherford.
• In Week 2, a 71-yard punt return for a score and a fumbled kickoff return cost the Giants 10 points.
• In Week 3, a bad snap from Zak DeOssie cost the Giants a potential three points, robbing Josh Brown of a short field-goal opportunity.
• In Week 3, the Giants were fooled by a Houston Texans' fake punt.
• Neither punt returner Preston Parker nor kickoff returner Quintin Demps has been able to break a field position-changing return yet.

There have also been good things, like Rashad Jennings and Damontre Moore each blocking punts and Josh Brown making all three of his field-goal attempts on Sunday.

"There are going to be ups and downs," special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said Tuesday. "Just keep fighting and protect everyone's back."

Corey Washington was the closest Giant to the ball on Houston's successful fake punt, a pass by punter Shane Lechler. Quinn, though, said the play was not Washington's fault.

"Corey was in a good spot, it was the guy behind him," Quinn said.

The long-term concern for Quinn is the week-to-week health of Weatherford, who is dealing with torn ligaments in his left ankle -- the foot he plants in the ground when punting.

"It was always a concern because it is not just going to go away until it heals," Quinn said. "He managed things better out there with his preparation for the game."