Bradshaw, Boley hope to return Sunday

With the undefeated Green Bay Packers coming to town, the Giants are hoping their top running back and linebacker will return as the team looks to end a three-game losing streak.

Ahmad Bradshaw, the feisty running back who has missed the past four games with a stress fracture in his foot, said he doesn't expect to practice at all this week, but feels like he has a "big shot" to play Sunday.

"I feel good. I'm planning on playing. Write what you want to write," Bradshaw said Wednesday.

The thought of Bradshaw lining up behind quarterback Eli Manning in the backfield at MetLife Stadium is enough to give Giants fans at least a sliver of hope that there's life in this sagging team and somehow, some way there's a chance for an upset of the Packers.

But Bradshaw also cautioned that he will only play Sunday if he feels he is not at risk of re-injuring his foot.

"I don't want to get out there and play and then sit out the next game, I want to play the rest of the year," he said.

Another injured player who is sorely missed, linebacker Michael Boley, also came up with some promising news, saying he's "hopeful" he can return to anchor the defense. Boley has missed the past three games, and the Giants are 0-3 without him.

"Any time when you're struggling it makes it worse to watch from the sideline," Boley said. "As a competitor, in the back of your mind, you're thinking maybe I could have done something to help."

The Giants are coming off an embarrassing 49-24 loss in New Orleans Monday night, dropping them to 6-5 and a full game behind the first-place Dallas Cowboys.