National Football League

Losing Hixon has Giants looking for returners

Published Aug. 13, 2010 9:41 p.m. ET

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Losing Domenik Hixon to a freak season-ending knee injury in minicamp cost the New York Giants more than a reliable receiver. It took away their return game.

Hixon handled roughly 80 percent of the kickoff returns last season and 63 percent of their punt returns.

Heading into the preseason opener against the Jets on Monday night, the auditions for Hixon's replacement start.

Backup running backs D.J. Ware and Andre Brown and free agent receiver Victor Cruz will handle the kickoff returns. Veteran cornerback Aaron Ross and Cruz will get the call on punt returns, although starting safety Antrel Rolle has handled some punts in camp.

Veteran receiver Sinorice Moss was getting work at both spots in the opening week of training camp at the University of Albany, but he has been sidelined with a groin injury and his status for Monday is uncertain.

Coach Tom Coughlin said practice can only tell you so much about the returners.

''You've got to put them in a game,'' he said.

Ware fielded the opening kickoff against Washington in the first game of last season and dislocated an elbow on the play. He only played in eight games, averaging 18.5 yards on two kickoff returns.

''I am just going to go out there and hope my team gives me a nice little crease to hit and I'll do the rest after that,'' Ware said. ''It is looking good. I enjoy it. It's fun. It's one of the most emotional plays of a game, so it will be fun to see what I can do.''

Ware knows that returners sometimes pay a price, taking some awful hits on tackles.

''As a returner, you have to keep your eyes open at all times, he said. ''When you see someone coming at you, you have to know where their leverage is and try to get back on the side they are not coming from.''

Brown, the team's fourth-round draft pick last season, tore an Achilles' tendon in training camp last August and missed the season. He is willing do anything to get on the field.

''I am just ready to go out there and hit somebody,'' Brown said. ''I am not going to be hit. I am going to hit somebody.''

Brown is not longer worried about his injury. He has planted and cut on the leg.

''Any opportunity I get, I am going to make a play,'' said Brown, who averaged 20.1 yards on kickoff returns at North Carolina State.

Cruz, a Paterson native who played at Massachusetts, has been one of the surprises at camp with his ability to catch the ball, especially the deep routes. If he can help out in the return game, it might help him land a spot on the roster.

''I am sure a lot of people haven't seen me back there,'' said Cruz, who returned punts as a senior in college. ''I just want to go out there and make smart decisions and make sure I catch the ball.''

Cruz had a little problem with the sun on Friday morning during a walk-through practice.

''Hopefully, at 8 o'clock at night (Monday) it won't be any sun,'' he quipped.

Ross returned 76 punts during his career at Texas and he seems ready to roll again.

''Since Day 1 I came in wanting to be a punt returner,'' Ross said. ''I think I did a really good job in college as a punt returner. Now I finally get the opportunity I wanted, and I want to take full advantage of it.''

Ross is being given a chance to return punts because Terrell Thomas took over his starting job at cornerback when Ross suffered a hamstring injury in training camp last year.

Ross is fighting to get the job back, but for now he has two jobs, nickel back and punt returner.

''Every time I get the opportunity, I'm going to show them I'm willing to do it, ready to do it and can do it,'' he said.

Moss has the most experience from the carry-overs from last season, but he was not very productive. He averaged 6.7 yards on 11 punt returns and 18.2 yards on 6 kickoff returns.

Hixon lead the team with averages of 22.6 yards on kickoffs returns with a long of 68 yards, and 15.1 yards on 17 punt returns, including a 79 yarder for a touchdown.