Steve Weatherford

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Steve Weatherford hopes to get his kicks on Sunday, despite the sprained left ankle he suffered Monday night in Detroit.

The Giants’ punter didn’t practice today, but was walking limp-free. He will test the leg later in the week and expects to be in uniform when the Giants face the Arizona Cardinals in their home opener.

“I would like to think that I could play a game tomorrow, but maybe that’s just too much confidence or too much optimism,” Weatherford said. “I would like to see a lot more progress happen between now and Sunday. But I feel pretty confident that our training staff is going to be able to get me to where I need to be.”

Weatherford was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in the Giants’ Monday night loss in Detroit. He was hit by Jerome Couplin, who drew a roughing the kicker penalty, and his left ankle bent awkwardly. Weatherford played the rest of the game, but left Ford Field wearing a boot.

Tom Coughlin said the swelling in Weatherford’s leg indicated ligament damage. But …

“His ankle actually looks better today than it did yesterday and he’s doing jumping jacks and stuff in there now,” Coughlin said. “Hopefully, that will continue.”

“It’s my plant foot, so it’s weight bearing,” Weatherford said. “And obviously I was able to get through the game on Monday, so that is encouraging, knowing that worst case scenario, I could get the ball off. Right now, we’re not looking for me to just get the ball off. I’m not going to tell Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin that I’m ready to go unless I know that I can help my team and I can be as good as I can be. At the same time, you don’t want to have another punter come in here that’s not used to this stadium. It’s not an easy place to play. I’m going to do what’s in the best interest of the team, and if I don’t feel like I can help my team ,I’m going to tell them that I need another week. It’s progressing well. It actually felt better yesterday than it did on Mondaynight, so that’s encouraging and I am a fast healer, at least I thought I was. I’m not getting any younger, but I act young, so who knows, maybe I can fool my body.”

If anybody can do that, it’s Weatherford, who is fanatically devoted to working out.

“I’m cut from a different cloth,” he said.

“He is a phenom with training,” Coughlin said. “He works hard. If you can stand the music, you can go in the weight room and watch him. He’s something.”

*If Weatherford can’t play, and the Giants do not sign another punter, kicker Josh Brown would punt. Brown officially has five NFL punts, though none since 2008.

“I’ve been in every situation possible in this league, or at least I think I have, so I’m real comfortable,” Brown said. “I have no issues catching the snap and getting it off in time.”

Weatherford is also Brown’s holder for placekicks, a job backup quarterback Ryan Nassib would assume. Nassib last held in a game while playing for Malverne (Pa.) Prep in 2006. “Turkey Bowl against Monsignor Bonner,” Nassib said. “We’ve got a full week to practice it, a little contingency plan, so it will be alright.”

*Joining Weatherford on the did-not-practice list was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring); tackle James Brewer (back); defensive tackles Cullen Jenkins (hip) and Markus Kuhn (ankle); and rookie linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring). Jenkins is the only starter in that group. “I hope it’s not much,” Coughlin said of Jenkins’ injury.

Linebacker Jon Beason (foot) and tackle Charles Brown (shoulder) were limited.

*For the Cardinals, running back Andre Ellington (foot), defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (calf) and linebacker Alex Okafor (thigh) did not practice.

*Statistical leftovers from the Detroit game:

* Calvin Johnson scored the Lions’ first touchdown just 2:49 into the game. It was the earliest the Giants had allowed a touchdown in a season-opening game since Sept. 15, 1968 when Pittsburgh’s Dick Hoak scored on a six-yard run after 49 seconds. But the Giants won the game, 34-20.

* Eli Manning’s 33 pass attempts increased his career total to 5,041 and moved him past Steve DeBerg (5,024) and Matt Hasselbeck (5,026) and into 19th place on the NFL’s all-time list. Jim Hart is 18th with 5,076 passes.

* Manning is also 19th in career completions with 2,947. In 18th place, just seven completions ahead of Manning, is Carson Palmer, who will be the opposing starting quarterback for Arizonaon Sunday. Palmer and Manning rank fifth and sixth among active quarterbacks in completions.

-On Monday, Manning’s 163 passing yards increased his total to 35,508 and moved him past Hall of Famer Jim Kelly (35,467) and into 18^th place on the NFL’s career list.

-Larry Donnell became the 33^rd different receiver to catch a regular-season touchdown pass from Manning. Donnell and fellow tight end Daniel Fells became the 53rd and 54^th players to catch regular-season Manning passes.

-Donnell scored in the second quarter, giving Manning a reasonably symmetrical touchdown pass breakdown by quarter:

*To provide a safer environment for the public while attending Giants games in MetLife Stadium, fans are asked to adhere to the NFL policy that limits the size and types of bags that may be brought into the stadium.

Fans will be able to carry ONLY the following style and size bags into the stadium:

• One bag that is clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12.”, OR

• A one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) AND

• In addition to one of the clear bags noted above, fans may also carry in a small clutch bag, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.

• An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the Stadium entry gates.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.