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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Starting isnt an issue for New York Giants running back Andre Brown. After spending the last 10 weeks on recallable injured reserve with a second broken leg in less than a year, all Brown cares about is playing against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. "Sitting out this long, as long as I go in there and make a play or two, thats what I am looking forward to," Brown said Wednesday after practice. "Its not about starting. Its just about being back out there, especially coming from where I came from: the humble beginnings and breaking (the leg) and going through this adversity again and coming back. Its a surreal moment to go out and play football again." Brown has not had the easiest career in the NFL. The five-year veteran has had a career marked by injuries and a nomadic journey from team to team. He finally seemed to catch on last year with the Giants, scoring eight touchdowns in 10 games, playing mostly in passing and goal-line situations. Unfortunately, he broke his left fibula in late November and broke it again in the same spot in the preseason finale against New England. "The doctors said the odds of being hit in the same spot and breaking it again were just crazy," Brown said. The leg has healed and Brown had been practicing for the past two weeks. He fully expects to play Sunday and he cant hide his excitement. He wants the ball handed to him. He wants to feel the thud of getting popped. He wants to hit someone. He wants to play football again for a team that a couple of weeks ago didnt have a starting halfback because of injuries. "I am ready to roll," Brown said. "I am pretty sure they are going to switch us in and out to make sure I have my wind. Its not about the leg. Its about me getting back in football shape, which I am in, but getting used to contact and seeing how that goes." Coach Tom Coughlin indicated Brown will have a role. "Im looking forward to the return of that player, quite frankly," Coughlin said. "Size, speed, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, he does a good job in pass protection. You sometimes forget that the guy is 230 pounds. Thats a little bit of a different dimension." Coming off a bye, the Giants have three potential starters with Brandon Jacobs healthy and Peyton Hillis. Hillis seemingly is more in shape after coming in off the street and carrying the brunt of the running attack with David Wilson (neck) and Jacobs (hamstring) sidelined. Coughlin joked about Browns role when pressed about how much he would be able to do, saying he envisions Brown would carry the ball 40 times, catch 15 passes and return kickoffs. Brown didnt know what to make of Coughlins comment until being told the coach was being sarcastic. "Whew," said a relieved Brown, who plans to wear a small shin guard on his leg. Doctors have said hell have to wear it the rest of his career. Having Brown back in the lineup should help the offence, which didnt score a touchdown in the 15-7 win over Philadelphia before the bye. Josh Brown kicked five field goals. "Its a great tribute to Andre the way he has worked to come back from these injuries," quarterback Eli Manning said. "I know it has been frustrating for him, but he has done a great job of staying positive. The team has supported him and had his back. Hopefully, hell come back and help us out." Brown said the keys for him will be to hold onto the ball and make sure he makes his blocks in passing situations. "Its going to be fun. I just cant wait," Brown said. "I havent been getting too much sleep because its like Christmas. Im just really looking forward to going back out there and playing." NOTES: G Chris Snee got off crutches Wednesday, three weeks after hip surgery, his second in a year. ...WR Victor Cruz (neck) expects to practice Thursday after being held out as a precaution. ...DE Jason Pierre-Paul said he now feels the best he has since having back surgery in June, noting hes 90 per cent. ___ AP NFL website: —www.pro32.ap.org Dave Parker Jersey . This week they discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Gregg Popovich, Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Bill Belichick. Cheap Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract. http://www.cheappiratesjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-roberto-clemente-jersey . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. Sean Rodriguez Jersey . Richard Jefferson scored 17 points and Diante Garrett had a career-high 15 points as the Jazz had seven players with 10 points or more in Utahs largest margin of victory this season. Jung-ho Kang Jersey . "It feels good, Ive never had one before, not even in College," Hagelin said after the Rangers outgunned the Jets 4-2, behind some solid goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist following a pretty wide open first period.TORONTO -- Casey Janssen doesnt have a date circled on his calendar for his return to the Toronto Blue Jays lineup. The Toronto closer is dealing with a left abdominal/lower back problem that sent him to the disabled list March 30, the eve of the Jays season opener. "Its just a day-by-day thing," Janssen said Saturday of his return. He says he plans to push as hard as he can go, but does not want to set a rigid timeline that might lead to disappointment -- or headlines. "We dont want to get ahead of ourselves," he explained. "We dont want to have dates where either I or you (media) guys or anyone else wants to have as a deadline or a certain date, where if I dont make it that day then its breaking news or something like that." Coming after a pre-season that saw him pitch just three innings as he protected his shoulder, it all means that Janssen is a long way off from where he hoped to be. "Im starting to trust it a lot more," he said of the problem oblique muscle. "Im starting to be a lot more active on it. The recovery is quicker, I guess. If Im active on it, within a few hours it (the discomfort) is probably gone. You wake up with a fresh start every day which is nice. "Ive just got to continue to progress. The further we get away from that Montreal date, the healthier its going to get." The Montreal date was the late March finale to the Toronto pre-season. Janssen felt something as he was warming up to go in against the New York Mets, but didnt think it was anything moree than a "tight something.dddddddddddd" "Never did I imagine Id be sitting here in late April having not thrown a pitch," he said. The days after, however, he knew it was something more than tightness. Janssen is slated to throw a bullpen session Sunday, with another planned a few days later. A rehab assignment in the minors will follow. He has already had one of those shut down mid-month when it was determined he needed further rest. "I cant wait to throw (the bullpen session), Im excited," he said. "Hopefully theres no looking back." As frustrated as he is by the inactivity, the 32-year-old right-hander understands patience is needed. "Being in the position where I pitch in a game, youve got to be good," he said. "You dont want to let the team down by figuring it out up here. "So I want to be clicking once I get up here ... At the end of the day, my arms got to be able to bounce back, do the things Im asked to do here and then also have my side tested enough where, the same thing, Im not getting special treatment when Im ready." Janssen, who converted 34-of-36 save opportunities last season. says he only feels the injury occasionally in his day-to-day life. But given the importance of the bodys trunk to throwing, it is like Kryptonite to a pitcher. "Theres no injury thats fun," he said. "This one seems to take lot more time, even when theres no extreme pain." Sergio Santos has assumed the role of closer in Janssens absence. ' ' '