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Running back Shane Vereen, on Injured Reserve since suffering a Week 3 triceps injury, returned to practice Wednesday for the New York Giants.
“It was good to get him back out here in the mix with the team. He caught some balls,” said head coach Ben McAdoo. “He's a good play maker; the more of those you have on the field at the same time, the better off you'll be.”
Vereen has been the Giants’ primary third-down and pass-catching back since signing with the team prior to last season. He caught a career-high 59 passes in 2015.
The veteran running back said Wednesday he is just “trying to take baby steps” in an effort to get back on the field.
“I just want to come back and be a part of this team. Missing the last few games, you start to lose the camaraderie, you start to feel like you aren’t so much a part of the team right now, so I can’t wait to just feel like I am back,” Vereen said.
Vereen still has to be added to the 53-man roster in order to play. Most likely, the earliest that will happen is for the Dec. 11 NFC East showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
“That's more a question for the medical staff. When they deem him ready, we'll take a look at bringing him back,” McAdoo said. “He looks like he's in good condition and caught the ball well today.”
Vereen knows he has to prove he is ready to play and can secure the ball.
“I feel good. If it was just up to how I felt like, then I would have been back, but there is a lot that goes into it and we have to be smart,” he said. “You have to prove that you have enough strength to play. There is a lot. There is a laundry list of things and I am trying to do my best to listen to them and take their advice.”
The Giants who did not practice on Wednesday were safety Nat Berhe (concussion), linebacker Mark Herzlich (concussion) and defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa (knee). As expected, offensive linemen Justin Pugh, Marshall Newhouse and Brett Jones all returned to practice in limited fashion.
Wednesday Injury Report
Did Not Practice
S Nat Berhe (concussion)
LB Mark Herzlich (concussion)
DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (knee)
Limited Participation
WR Dwayne Harris
OL Brett Jones (calf)
OL Marshall Newhouse (knee)
OL Justin Pugh (knee)