Injured players often express this sentiment: They are a part of the team, but also apart from the team.
“Missing the last few games, you start to lose the camaraderie, you start to feel you’re not so much a part of the team,’’ Shane Vereen said Wednesday. “I can’t wait to just feel I’m back.’’
Vereen’s return might not be imminent, but it is close. For the first time in two months, the veteran running back was on the practice field, working with his teammates inside the field house as they prepared for Sunday’s game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Vereen will not be ready to play this weekend, but there is a feeling around the team that he will be able to make a contribution, perhaps as soon as the Dec. 11 showdown with the Cowboys.
“That would be awesome,’’ Vereen said. “Hopefully.’’
Vereen has not played since injuring his triceps in the Sept. 25 loss to the Redskins. He underwent surgery and was put on short-term injured reserve. With Vereen working with the team, a 21-day clock starts, as the Giants have to activate him or designate him for season-ending IR in that window. Given this was not a lower-body injury and Vereen has been able to keep himself in shape, it is likely he will make his way back to the field sooner rather than later.
“He looks like he’s in good condition and caught the ball well,’’ said Ben McAdoo, who added Vereen must prove he has the strength to secure the ball.
In his three games, Vereen rushed for 147 yards and caught eight passes for 75 yards. The Giants have struggled most of the season to establish a consistent ground game, and even though they have managed to surpass 100 rushing yards in each of the last three games, they are ranked 31st in the league in rushing, averaging only 79.5 yards per game.
Vereen, a noted pass-catcher out of the backfield, could help loosen up defenses with his ability on screens and dump-off passes, which often are more akin to running plays than passing plays.
“Hopefully points, I think that’s gonna help us down the line, consistency and points,’’ Vereen said, when asked what he hoped to add to the mix. “Keep this thing going. I know offensively, being in all the meetings, we’re definitely not where we want to be, but December is the most important time of the season. Hopefully I can contribute.’’