New York Giants’ Jonathan Casillas aims to play in NFL season opener
By Matt Couden
New York Giants linebacker Jonathan Casillas is still healing from a rib injury but is optimistic he could return for the team’s season opener.
Jonathan Casillas of the New York Giants is exercising caution with regards to his latest preseason injury as his teammates are exercising to stay in shape. The Giants’ linebacker suffered a rib injury against the New York Jets this past Saturday and has said breathing is “a little tough.”
Casillas is also “(trying) not to laugh, cough, twisting” or “turning,” the linebacker said, according to NFL.com. He’s optimistic that he’ll be on the field when the Giants take on the Cowboys in Dallas less than two weeks from now.
“I’m going to be ready for Dallas. I’m not going to miss Dallas. I can’t miss Dallas,” he told the media. It’s one of those NFL rivalry games that fans and players alike get up for.
The Vegas point spread first opened with Dallas as a four-point home favorite for the game. However, a major injury to the Cowboys’ quarterback changed that line to a “pick ’em” situation. It could continue to push in the Giants’ favor as game time approaches.
Casillas hurt his ribs while tackling running back Matt Forte in Saturday’s game. It was just the fourth play of the game. In another recent incident, the Cowboys saw their star quarterback Tony Romo go down with a broken back after a sack in the preseason. It goes to show that despite preseason not counting for anything, it can certainly count against a player being able to participate in the regular season.
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It seems Casillas isn’t taking any chances with this latest injury recovery. A rib injury is something he doesn’t want to work through, let alone, laugh, twist or turn through right now. Hopefully, he’ll get his wish and be back on the field for that big season-opening game.