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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants battered and bruised offensive backfield might be getting a familiar face back in time to face the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.Rashad Jennings, the teams leading rusher with 863 yards last season, is making significant progress with the torn ligament in his left thumb that forced him to miss last weeks 29-27 loss to the Washington Redskins.Jennings participated in several drills during Fridays practice, enough to impress coach Ben McAdoo.Rashad had a very nice day, McAdoo said. Hes progressing nicely. He got some good work in. Its still too early to tell if he can play. Were looking at things on a day-to-day basis.Offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan also saw a significant change in Jennings.Hes improved from last week, so all we can do is hope for the best, Sullivan said. We have to wait and see how it all plays out.McAdoo was asked when a decision would be made about Jennings status.Its not a game-time decision, McAdoo said. More than likely game day, probably.Jennings was not available to the media after Fridays practice. He was spotted during practice running hard with the ball and catching passes out of the backfield, which was the biggest concern after he injured the thumb in the victory over New Orleans two weeks ago. It was the most active the seven-year veteran has been since injuring the thumb.He got some good work in, McAdoo said.Its essential for the Giants to get Jennings back into the mix, considering they lost veteran Shane Vereen for the season with a torn triceps. Vereen was becoming more than just a third-down back and was the teams leading rusher after three weeks with 147 yards on 31 carries (4.7 yards per carry). Jennings has 102 yards on 31 carries (3.3 yards per carry).Luckily for the Giants they have Orleans Darkwa, a third-year pro out of Tulane signed by the Giants off the Dolphins practice squad in November 2014. Darkwa got his chance to see considerable action last Sunday, when he carried the ball 10 times for 53 yards and a touchdown.Incredibly, there were thoughts Darkwa would get cut by the team in preseason. Now, a month later, he stands to be the starter if Jennings cant go Monday night.Its crazy how things happen, said the 24-year-old Darkwa. I hear it every year that Im going to get cut or that Im on the bubble. That doesnt bother me. All I can do is try harder on the field and do what I can do.Darkwa is aware that as it stands, hes No. 1 on the depth chart.It would be an unbelievable dream come true to make my first start on the big stage on `Monday Night Football, Darkwa said. I cant get too excited. I just have to play my game and be ready. I feel like Im ready to be the main back. Its what I did in college, but I know this is a different level. Im confident enough to run the ball. I just have to make sure I can get the job done.Im wishing for Rashad to have a speedy recovery, but if Im needed, Im ready.Sullivan doesnt think rookie Paul Perkins, the fifth-round draft pick from UCLA, is ready to step in. However, the Giants think highly of Perkins -- so highly that they kept him and released Andre Williams in training camp.He was not here in the spring, Sullivan said of Perkins. He missed a lot, so its just a matter of him trying to catch up. Hes had a lot to digest. We feel very confident with whomever we call upon.The way things looked Friday, it could very well be a return for Jennings, who has gained 3,281 yards and scored 20 touchdowns over his seven-year career.Game notes Six other Giants did not practice: CB Eli Apple (hamstring), OT Marshall Newhouse (calf), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin), S Darian Thompson (foot), DT Robert Thomas (illness) and S Nat Berhe, who is still undergoing the leagues concussion protocol. Their status for Monday nights game will be reviewed Saturday. . DE Olivier Vernon is listed with a wrist injury, and Vernon said its something that has bothered him for a long time and is nothing more than a bee sting. ... DE Jason Pierre-Paul declared himself fit and ready to go Monday night. Its the `Monday Night Football game, so everyone is going to be watching, Pierre-Paul said. Im going to get the job done. Im focused and locked in.. The Giants plan to practice in New Jersey on Sunday, then fly to Minnesota.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Gregor Blanco Jersey . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Gregor Blanco Mets Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.metssale.com/mets-nolan-ryan-jersey/ .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Jed Lowrie Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Jason Vargas Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. The Ohio State Buckeyes became the fourth team to win 20 consecutive road games in major-college football since 1900, and the first to do so since Miami (FLL) in 1984-88.dddddddddddd ' ' '