Devon Kennard hamstring injury a concern for Giants

New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard saw his development as a rookie delayed in 2014 by a Week 1 hamstring injury. Kennard missed three full weeks and did not become a regular part of the Giants' defense until Week 7. He hopes his latest hamstring injury, suffered on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, doesn't derail him in the same fashion.

"It's day to day. I've probably iced it 100 times since our last game, and I'm just trying to get it right and doing whatever the trainers tell me, and hopefully I'll be back soon," said Kennard, one of several Giants who did not practice on Wednesday. " I'm hopeful just because I want to be out there with my team. I love the way that we're playing, I love what we have going on, and if there's any way possible I can play on Sunday, I will. I'm going to be listening to the trainers and seeing how it feels every day."

Kennard, of course, is a big part of what the Giants have going on defense. He is fourth on the team in tackles with 23, is second to Damontre Moore in quarterback hits with four. He had that brilliant interception vs. the Bills. You can make an argument that he is the closest thing the Giants have to a dominant player in their front seven. The only thing really standing between Kennard and being a star is injuries. Which brings us back to his current hamstring injury.

Kennard said he "going to do everything I can to get back as soon as I can."

If Kennard is unable to go Sunday vs. the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants would likely turn to a committee of players to replace him. Jonathan Casillas, Uani 'Unga and Mark Herzlich have all had roles on defense thus far, and those would likely be expanded.

Here is Wednesday's complete injury report:

Did Not Practice

DE Robert Ayers (hamstring)
WR Victor Cruz (calf)
CB Jayron Hosley (concussion)
LB Devon Kennard (hamstring)
CB Trumaine McBride (groin)
DE George Selvie (calf)

Limited Practice

TE Jerome Cunningham (knee)

Full Practice

OT Ereck Flowers (ankle)
DT Markus Kuhn (knee)